End of life charity Marie Curie announces New Chair of Board of Trustees

• Kevin Parry OBE to join the charity on 1 January 2025
• He succeeds Vindi Banga who retires after seven years of service.
  
  

Marie Curie, the UK's leading end of life charity, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Parry OBE as its new Chair of Trustees, effective 1 January 2025. He will succeed Vindi Banga, who will step down on 31 December 2024 after seven years of service.

Kevin Parry is currently Chairman of Nationwide Building Society and an Independent Director at Daily Mail and General Trust plc.

His extensive experience includes CFO of Schroders, Group CEO Management Consulting Group and Managing Partner KPMG UK. Kevin has also been a Chair of the Board at Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation, a trustee of the Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity, and Chair of the Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England).

Kevin joins Marie Curie at a pivotal time, as the charity looks to further transform the way it delivers care, by working more closely with the NHS, and local providers, to ensure more people receive the right end of life care, when and where they need it. At the same time, the charity is calling on the UK government to use the new NHSE 10 Year Plan and Comprehensive Spending Review to put in place a strategy for the future of palliative care and support the sector with sustainable funding. Without urgent action in all four UK jurisdictions, more people will die without the care and support they need.

Patricia Lee, Trustee and Member of the Nominations Committee at Marie Curie, commented on the appointment: "Following a rigorous search process, we are delighted to welcome Kevin as our new Chair. His experience leading international FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 and mutual companies, along with his charitable work and expertise in financial services, media, and data, will be invaluable to our mission."

Kevin said: "I am delighted to be joining Marie Curie, having long admired the high-quality care and support the organisation provides to people in their final months, weeks, and days.

I am joining Marie Curie because currently end of life care is inadequate, with those who most need it not getting the care and support they need. I believe that Marie Curie, with 75 years' experience as the largest non-NHS provider of quality end of life care, and as the only provider across all four jurisdictions of the UK, is in a strong position to change this. I am looking forward to working with the team to continue to push for universal provision of end of life care across the UK so that everyone, whatever their illness or background, has a better experience at end of life."

Commenting on the outgoing Chair, Matthew Reed, Chief Executive Officer at Marie Curie, said: "Vindi has been an outstanding Chair of Marie Curie. We have all benefited enormously from his wisdom, expertise, experience, and tenacity during his tenure. His generous service has ensured the charity is in a much stronger position to close the gap in end of life care and transform how we deliver palliative care in partnership with the NHS and local communities. He leaves the trustee board with our deep gratitude and thanks for all his unstinting service. We wish him and his family all the best in the future."

Vindi Banga was appointed Chair in 2017 and has overseen significant transformations within the organisation, ensuring it can better serve people at the end of life. Under his chairmanship, the charity has enhanced its care delivery, supported over 1.7 million people through its information and support services in 2023-24, and expanded its research and policy efforts to address inequalities in end of life care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the charity supported more individuals than ever before, alleviating pressures on the NHS while providing crucial care for the dying and bereaved.

The charity also undertook a brand refresh to ensure more people know about the vital support and expert care Marie Curie can provide, as well as ensuring the organisation is in the best possible position to raise vital funds to further support people at the end of life, whatever their illness, place of care, or personal circumstances.

Vindi said: "It has been a privilege to help lead Marie Curie over these years. I am very proud of the work we did during the pandemic to support people and relieve the pressure on the NHS as well as everything we are doing to close the gap in end of life care through our services and influencing work.
"I extend my gratitude to the Marie Curie team for everything you do to support people and their families at end of life.

"I am confident I leave Marie Curie as a stronger and more resilient organisation, and in great hands."

Vindi will remain with Marie Curie until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition with Kevin.

Marie Curie care for people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer. The charity provides expert and compassionate hospice and end of life care at home, in its hospices, and over the phone, ensuring people are free from unnecessary pain, and have the dignity and respect they deserve.

To learn more about Marie Curie and its mission to close the gap in end of life care in the UK, please visit mariecurie.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes to editor

For further information, please contact the Marie Curie Press Office: media@mariecurie.org.uk / 0845 073 8699.
Please note, Marie Curie is not a cancer charity but the UK's leading 'end of life charity'. We care for people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer.

About Marie Curie

• Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity.
• The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we're with you to the end.
• If you're living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie

Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk
Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.