Kate Pretty Lecture 2024 - Charities Under Pressure: A Force for Good in a Changing World

Thursday 2 May 2024  5.30pm
Charities Under Pressure: A Force for Good in a Changing World

The Great Hall, Homerton College

On 2 May 2024, Michelle Mitchell OBE, Honorary Fellow of Homerton College and CEO of Cancer Research UK, the world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research, will deliver the seventh Kate Pretty Lecture, on the topic ‘Charities under pressure: a force for good in a changing world’.

Michelle will reflect on the history and present landscape of UK charities, their impact in the world, the partnership with the University of Cambridge and importance of a new generation of leaders.

The lecture will be followed by a conversation with the Principal, Lord Simon Woolley and Q&A with the audience.  The evening will conclude with a drinks reception in the Great Hall.

Register here.

Michelle Mitchell OBE is responsible for the leadership and direction of Cancer Research UK, the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Since joining in November 2018, she has helped put the charity on a strong footing to achieve its vision of bringing about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.   

Throughout her career, Michelle has transformed a number of not-for-profit organisations to better their purpose and global impact. Before joining Cancer Research UK, Michelle spent five years as CEO of the MS Society where she launched the STOP MS £100m appeal. Prior to that Michelle spent nearly a decade at Age UK, progressing to the role of Director General where she was at the forefront of national debates on health, care and welfare. 

Michelle has extensive Non-Executive experience, including as a Non-Executive Director at NHS England and a Trustee of the King’s Fund. She is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Cambridge’s Homerton College and was awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to the charity sector.