Ian Creek
Chief Executive
As Chief Executive, Ian is responsible for running Wessex Cancer Support effectively to ensure we continue to support the thousands of people across the region who need us, in the best possible way. Ian reports to the Board of Trustees and together they develop our strategy, which he delivers with the Senior Leadership Team.
Ian previously worked as Commercial Director with Swimming Nature, where he oversaw organisational growth, service quality and national operations. Professionally, Ian has held senior leadership roles within the NHS and wider health system, including leading large-scale transformation programmes recognised nationally for innovation and impact. His background also includes senior commercial and marketing roles, giving him a strong understanding of sustainable growth, partnership working and organisational resilience.
Ian is also directly involved in Charity leadership and has been a Trustee and Chair for an Eating Disorders Charity called SWEDA since 2024.
Suzanne Bannister
Director of Support Services
Suzanne has experience of working in the NHS as Lead Cancer Support Worker managing a team of Cancer Support Workers delivering Personalised Care for cancer patients. Prior to that she was the Executive Director for an HIV and Sexual Health Charity delivering support services for people living with HIV and their families. Suzanne understands both Clinical Secondary Care services as well as the Charitable sector and this combined experience enables her to oversee the delivery of our client support services. Suzanne joined Wessex Cancer Support as she has a passion for ensuring people living with cancer as well as their families and loved ones have access to personalised support services.
In her spare time, Suzanne likes to swim, travel and spend time with her family and friends.
Colette Cowan
Director of Organisational Effectiveness
As Director of Organisational Effectiveness, Colette is responsible for overseeing the delivery of our strategy and ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the charity. Colette is passionate about enabling our staff and volunteers to provide the best possible support for people affected by cancer in Wessex, and she strives to encourage them to feel proud to be part of the organisation. Additionally, she spends plenty of time implementing and supporting projects across departments. Having worked within Wessex Cancer Support for more than five years, and with a prior ten years’ experience in delivering and managing services for vulnerable community groups, Colette ensures that our decisions always keep our clients in full focus.
Away from work, Colette loves making memories with her young children, family, and friends. She hopes that as her children grow, she will be able to find more time for reading, relaxing and travelling once again.
Mark Ellis
Director of Retail
Mark heads up a dedicated team of Retail Managers, Assistant Managers and volunteers from our 6 fantastic shops. Mark originally hails from a hospitality background, but 21 years ago joined the world of coffee as Manager for two of the big coffee chains opening multiple new stores across the North of England. However, after suffering a life changing stroke in 2008, Mark eventually rethought his career path which led him to charity retail and eventually to Wessex Cancer Support. Mark chose this charity mainly because he lost both of his parents to cancer when they were relatively young. In his role, Mark finds that every day is different, and he’s constantly amazed by the variety and quality of the donations and generosity of our supporters.
When not working, he enjoys spending time with friends and his two rescue dogs.
Catherine Price
Director of Fundraising
Catherine is an experienced and passionate fundraiser with over a decade of working across a range of causes including hospice care, disability, animal welfare, and conservation. She’s developed and led fundraising strategies at both national and local levels, with a strong track record in growing income through major gifts, trusts, individual giving, and donor engagement.
Now, as Director of Fundraising at Wessex Cancer Support, Catherine is bringing that experience to a new challenge. Catherine is focussed on setting clear goals for sustainable growth, strengthening supporter relationships, and supporting the team as they deliver across a range of income streams – all with the shared aim of improving the lives of people affected by cancer.
When she’s not working, Catherine loves spending time with her family on the beach near her home, pottering in the garden, and getting out for long walks in the hills and mountains across the UK.
Dave Robertson
Director of Finance
Dave’s role is to ensure that Wessex Cancer Support’s finances are sound and protected, and that relevant information is provided to Trustees and staff to enable the team to make sound decisions about how the charity operates. Dave brings many years of experience in managing the finances of charities and joined Wessex Cancer Support because he wanted to work with a charity that gives so much support to local people affected by cancer.
In his spare time, Dave is a keen walker, enjoys watching many sports, listening to music and spending time with his grandchildren.