Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Meet Gemma and find out about her role in making sure people living with cancer get the support they need.
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Officer of Macmillan Cancer Support. Standing outside and smiling, wearing a green top.

About Gemma (she/her)

Gemma Peters joined Macmillan Cancer Support in January 2023, bringing wide-ranging expertise in cancer research, care and clinical best practice; and over 20 years of experience in leadership roles across the charity, health and higher education sectors.

Gemma is passionate about working closely with people with lived experience to co-create solutions to the challenges they’re facing.

Read our Macmillan values

Career and credentials

In her previous role, Gemma was Chief Executive at Blood Cancer UK for over five years, where she led the organisation through the coronavirus pandemic. Gemma fronted activity to lobby the Government on behalf of immunocompromised people with blood cancer during the roll-out of vaccinations. Gemma also led the charity through an ambitious transformation programme that significantly increased the reach and impact of the organisation, including establishing its credentials at the forefront of work to bring people with lived experience of cancer into the heart of decision making.

At King’s College London and King’s Health Partners, Gemma was Executive Director of Fundraising & Supporter Development for twelve years. She conceived and led the ‘World questions | King’s Answers’ campaign, which raised over £610m and changed the lives of people around the world, winning an international award in fundraising excellence.

Gemma is an advocate for the rights of women and girls, and spent seven years as a trustee at ActionAid UK.

Connect with Gemma on social media:

The non-work stuff

Gemma grew up near Milton Keynes and now lives in South London with her family.

Read Gemma's blogs

An aerial view solar panels near a farm and agricultural fields as the sun rises.An aerial view solar panels near a farm and agricultural fields as the sun rises.
September update from Gemma
Chief Executive Gemma Peters explains why now is the time for Macmillan to evolve again and how better is possible, but only if the charity works differently.
Four people standing together outside. They are talking to each other and not looking at the camera.Four people standing together outside. They are talking to each other and not looking at the camera.
July update from Gemma
In this update, Gemma reflects on the ‘jewellery box’ of Macmillan and the hard work that’s underway to ‘spark a revolution’ in cancer care.
A group of people hiking up a hill. Their backs are to the camera. It is a bright and sunny day.A group of people hiking up a hill. Their backs are to the camera. It is a bright and sunny day.
Macmillan's metamorphosis
Gemma reflects on the start of Macmillan’s year of transformation and the opportunity for the organisation to become better, more efficient and more impactful.

Read Gemma's earlier blogs

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More from our leadership team

Find out more about the other people in our leadership team and how you can get in touch with them.

The people in our senior leadership team

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Get in touch

We're always happy to provide comment or share the story of our charity. If you'd like to speak with our leadership team or trustees, email our Media team at media@macmillan.org.uk or call 020 7840 7821.