Michelle Mitchell

So, I was the first in my family to go to university, and I studied at Manchester University to do an economics degree. And from that I moved to London after that period and worked in Parliament while studying for my MSC in public policy. And it was at that time, I really became incredibly passionate about a number of the big social issues that the country and the world faces and decided that the future for me was really working in charities with like-minded people who have a vision, and a view, and the skills to change the world.

Well, I would start with a deep understanding of the impact that you want to create with your team, with your stakeholders, and with the people you’re there to represent. So having a clear vision, understanding the purpose and setting a long-term, ambitious direction for any organisation is critical. I think the second part is really mobilising, using those resources that you have, the resources that you have in-house, making sure you have the right finances, your income is growing, you’re spending the money well, is critical.

And then the third element is mobilising people, being able to inspire, to engage, to create working environment[s] which get the very, best out of people.

And by people I don’t mean just the people we employ, who are fantastic here at Cancer Research UK, but also, we have the huge benefit of 25,000 volunteers. So, people who volunteer and inspiring people to support us at every level and any level that they can afford to do so.

So mobilising people and connecting all of those things together to create a sense of team, togetherness and common purpose, I think is what makes a successful CEO at Cancer Research UK and many other charities.