Bristol-based cancer charity Penny Brohn UK has appointed Julie Worrall as chief executive. 

Worrall is currently director of fundraising and development at Above and Beyond, the official charity for the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust and will take up her new post in October.  

Stephen Rosser, chair of trustees at Penny Brohn UK said: “Julie is a strong strategic leader with expertise in driving change. Julie has over 15 years in the charity health sector, seven of these in formal leadership roles and has served on boards for national and local charities. Julie has a wealth of experience in programme development, income generation and developing strategic partnerships including working alongside the NHS.  

“We believe Julie’s appointment has the potential to be transformational as she leads Penny Brohn UK through a period of change in order to survive the impact of the coronavirus pandemic to continue to help people live well with cancer.”  

Worrall said: “People need more than medicine to cope with all the ways that cancer impacts their life. I believe that everyone affected by cancer should be able to access Penny Brohn’s whole life approach. My own personal experience of cancer, and of working in the health sector, give me a unique perspective and a passion to take this organisation forward.  

“Fifteen years ago, at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the ovary. This particular type of cancer was so rare that only 15 people in the UK are diagnosed with it a year. It was a huge shock to us all. However, I was lucky. I received incredible treatment, care and compassion which I will forever be grateful for. It was a devastating experience physically and emotionally that continues to impact me to this day, however it also gave rise to so much good.   

“Since then, I have dedicated my career to using my professional skills to ‘giving back’. Since my illness I have fulfilled roles at Marie Curie Cancer Care, CLIC Sargent (Young Lives vs Cancer) and now Above & Beyond, working with the very hospitals that treated me. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to take my journey full circle and remain driven to turn my experiences into a force for good.”