Meet our New Chief Executive

The Prostate Research Campaign UK has a new Chief Executive, John Anderson.  He joins us after a distinguished career in the Army followed by three years in the charity field.

Tony Kilmister, Founder of Prostate Research Campaign UK, warmly welcomed John Anderson's appointment.  'Sheila and I', he said 'have carried the heat and burden of the day for almost ten years and we could not be preparing over the coming months to hand over to a better successor.  Doubtless next June will be an emotional time but in John you will have a truly enthusiastic leader to pick up the baton'.

John Anderson, the son of a soldier, joined the British Army at the age of 18 and was commissioned into the 6th Gurkha Rifles.  Up to 1987 he served continuously with Gurkha soldiers in Hong Kong, Brunei, Malaya and Nepal.  After commanding his Regiment he was attached to the Foreign Office as a Defence Attaché.  He spent the next eight years in our Embassies in Cyprus and Rome where, he claims, the diplomats did their best to knock the rough edges off him: he thinks that they succeeded - partially.

  Brigadier John Anderson's feeling about the job 'Immensely privileged'

John retired from the Army as a Brigadier in 2000 and immediately became involved in charity work.  He spent six months as a full-time volunteer fundraiser for the Ockenden international charity which promotes self reliance for displaced people and refugees overseas.  Then followed eighteen months managing the Haven Trust breast cancer charity, where he stood in for the Chief Executive for six months.  He is now a trustee of several charities.

John tells us he is, 'lucky enough to have been married to Louise, who has had to put up with him for 33 years and 25 house moves'.  They have three grown-up sons of whom they are both immensely proud.

Professor Roger Kirby, who chaired the selection panel, said, 'John Anderson stood out from a particularly fine group of candidates for the post.  Every aspect of his CV is relevant and, I am sure, will be immensely useful to the Prostate Research Campaign UK, although how we will make use of his colloquial Italian, Nepali and Chisona remains to be seen!'