Meet the team
Get to know our Executive Leadership Team
Alison Stainthorpe - Chief Executive Officer
Alison has been working for CancerCare since May 2010 and was appointed Chief Executive in October 2020. She holds an MSc in Construction and Property Management and has extensive experience working with the British Armed Forces. Alison spent three years in Germany working for the Estates Branch (Army) on a range of capital works projects and also served as Property Manager at the Sea Mounting Centre in Southampton.
Kayla Clough - Head of Client Services
Kayla is CancerCare’s Head of Client Services and has been working for the organisation since October 2025. She holds a BA (Hons) and Qualified Teacher Status and spent the past 30 years working in education, including 22 years as a Teacher, Senior Leader and Safeguarding Lead. Kayla has specialist experience working with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Yvonne Brace - Head of Finance & HR
Yvonne has been Head of Finance and HR at CancerCare since 2019, though she joined the charity in 2018, initially as the Finance Officer. She has worked in administration and finance roles for over 40 years, initially in the manufacturing industry. She then spent 27 years in the private care sector before joining CancerCare. In 2004, Yvonne took her Chartered Management Institute qualifications, and has been a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development since May 2023.
Claire Mason - Head of Fundraising and Marketing
Claire is CancerCare’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing, having joined the team in February 2023. She has worked in marketing, branding and advertising for over 20 years, with experience across a range of industries including finance, telecommunications, media, transport and FMCG. More recently, she has developed a passion for the third sector. Claire has taken part in CancerCare’s Dare2Dip Every Day and introduced the GEM Awards Scheme (Going the Extra Mile) to celebrate staff, therapists and trustees.
Kat Michaels - Deputy Head of Fundraising
Kat has been CancerCare’s Deputy Head of Fundraising since April 2023 and has been based at CancerCare for seven years. She previously held the roles of Community Fundraiser and Event Lead Fundraiser. Prior to joining the organisation, Kat worked as a Project Worker for the Salvation Army and as a Community Development Co-ordinator for a housing association. She is also a committed fundraiser herself, having completed the Great North Run, a skydive, Born Survivor, the Rampside Rush and the Santa Dash 10k.
David Haworth - Quality & Information Manager
David has been CancerCare’s Quality and Information Manager since August 2024. He originally joined the organisation as a Quality and Information Officer, a role he held for 10 years. Previously, David worked as an English Teacher and Translator in Italy, where he also served as an Italian Officer for an American airline. He has also worked in management information for the county council within adult learning and youth services. David has taken part in fundraising activities as well, running various 10k races over the years.