North West Cancer Research has appointed high profile marketing consultant Hilary Atherton to its board of trustees.

Hilary, who has provided strategic consultancy for FTSE100 firms including Orange/EE and Apple and now heads her own firm Atherton Consulting & Management, will join five new trustees at the charity.

In her new role, Hilary will support North West Cancer Research with the delivery of its strategic objectives, including its focus on increasing brand awareness and fundraising to allow the charity to continue to invest in the best cancer research and educational awareness activities.

Hilary, who is from St Helens originally, said:

“My career to date has been dedicated to helping organisations develop and deliver strategic aims and objectives and I hope to be able to use what I have learned to help North West Cancer Research fulfil its life-saving mission in the fight against cancer.

“Sadly like so many others, I know the devastating impact cancer has, having lost my husband five years ago to cancer of an unknown primary. It’s important for me to help in the hope that one day a cure will be found for this dreadful disease.

“It is an exciting time to be joining North West Cancer Research as the demand for world-class cancer research projects increases. Charities like North West Cancer Research have an increasingly important role in helping to improve our understanding of cancer and how to better diagnose, treat and prevent the disease and I’m looking forward to being part of that journey.”

North West Cancer Research funds potentially life-saving research to improve our understanding of cancer and how better to detect, treat and prevent it. The cancer research which it supports directly benefits people living in the North West.

Hilary’s appointment follows a period of significant growth for the charity in which it has committed to funding more than £12.3million worth of cancer research over the next five years at its research centres at the University of Liverpool, Bangor University and University of Lancaster.

North West Cancer Research chairman Nigel Lanceley said:

“Hilary is a vastly experienced strategist and has a proven track record in helping to build brand awareness and deliver result. Her passion and skills will help spread the word about North West Cancer Research and the research we fund, allowing her to make a significant contribution, enabling us to continue growing and benefit the community we serve.

“North West Cancer Research is committed to increasing education and awareness within local communities, so Hilary’s knowledge and skills will prove invaluable as we roll out a series of campaigns and events designed to engage with the public over the next 12 months.

“I’m delighted that we have been able to strengthen the board of trustees by making this strategic appointment following a record year of funding.”

Hilary joins five other new trustees, Professor Ross Sibson, Dr Phil Robertshaw, Steven Smith, Catherine Jones and Mark Haig.