Senior Leadership Team

Gillian Hailstones

Chief Executive Officer

Gillian has worked for the Beatson Cancer Charity since 2020, starting as Director of Care Services before moving into her position as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. In 2024, she was appointed as Chief Executive Officer, continuing her dedication to supporting the charity and its vital mission. With a background in the field of cancer care she has extensive experience across both statutory and third sector arenas. Qualifying as a nurse in 1995, Gillian has always been passionate about ensuring people and their families, receive the best care possible when faced with the challenge that a cancer diagnosis brings. Across all her roles, from staff nurse to Clinical Nurse Specialist and on into senior management positions, she has been motivated by the belief that people can continue to flourish even within the most challenging of circumstances.

Gillian has a strong understanding of the value and impact that came be made when statutory and third sector organisations work collaboratively. She actively works to enhance a truly integrated role of third sector care within communities. Gillian has a special interest in the role of emotional, psychological, and social supports to improve quality of life as she believes that enhancing individual wellbeing is key to building strong communities and improving personal and community resilience.

Ian Murray

Philanthropy and Individual Giving Director

Ian leads the Philanthropy and Individual Giving teams within the charity. These seek to add to the margin of excellence at the Beatson by attracting gifts, large and small, that support our ambitions in enhancing Clinical Excellence, advancing Life-saving Research, and maximising Patient Care and Wellbeing. He has previously worked with Quarriers and the University of Edinburgh in a similar role.

Ian has a deep conviction and belief in the power of philanthropy to inspire donors to make extraordinary and otherwise impossible things happen. His passion is delivering ambitious projects that have the potential for transformational impact on people’s lives.

A recent example of this is the now completed MRI initiative which will use MRI technology to focus radiotherapy far more accurately on tumours than ever before. Over the next 10 years, this world-class capability will enable the delivery of personalised, precision radiotherapy that will be more effective and cause significantly fewer side effects for 20,000 patients.

Morag Cunningham

Director of Fundraising

As Director of Fundraising Morag oversees one of the largest teams within the organisation, encompassing four streams of fundraising - Community, Corporate, Events and Trading. Morag develops and adapts strategic plans for the department and provides a strong sense of leadership and guidance. Furthermore, with a strong affiliation and fondness for Beatson Cancer Charity, Morag ensures to promote and create awareness of the organisation across all fundraising communications.