Business Beats Cancer Launches in Hull & East Yorkshire to Unite Local Business Leaders in the Fight Against Cancer

A powerful new initiative is set to launch in Hull and East Yorkshire, bringing together the region’s business community to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK. The newly formed Business Beats Cancer Hull & East Riding board will announce its inaugural events and fundraising program imminently, marking a significant expansion of the national Business Beats Cancer network.

The board, comprised of influential leaders from across the region – including representatives from rradar, Everywhen, Horncastle Group, Hinks Insurance Brokers, For Entrepreneurs Only, Stallard Kane and Cancer Research UK – aims to harness the power of local business to support life-saving research and raise awareness of cancer’s impact across Yorkshire.

“This is more than a fundraising campaign – it’s a movement,” said Gary Gallen, CEO of rradar and regional chair of the board. “We’re proud to bring Business Beats Cancer to Hull and the East Riding, and we’re committed to making a real difference in our community.”

Business Beats Cancer Hull & East Riding is committed to raising vital funds to support Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work across Hull and East Yorkshire and beyond. Every pound raised will help accelerate progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – bringing hope to families and communities affected by cancer.

Funds raised through Business Beats Cancer in Hull and the East Riding will support advanced research and clinical trials in Yorkshire, helping scientists and clinicians develop new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer.

They will also fund innovative projects, much like the National Biomarker Centre in Manchester, which is transforming early detection and personalised treatment for cancer patients. In addition, it will contribute to improving medicines and reducing long-term side effects for children and young people who experience cancer, as well as tackling cancer inequalities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, benefits from advances in cancer care and outcomes.

Driving real change by powering Cancer Research UK’s strategy

Cancer Research UK’s strategy is built on three pillars: making discoveries, driving progress, and bringing hope. The charity envisions a future where some types of cancer are effectively eliminated, many more are prevented from developing, and those who do develop cancer are diagnosed at the earliest possible stage for successful treatment. Treatments will become more effective, kinder, and more targeted, enabling people to lead better, more fulfilling lives. Importantly, progress will be shared equally, regardless of who you are, where you’re from, or what type of cancer you have.

To achieve its vision, Cancer Research UK harnesses the power of discovery through a world-leading network of researchers, unlocking new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. By accelerating progress for everyone, matching advances from academia with commercial, technical, and investment expertise, the charity ensures innovations reach patients faster.

As the world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research, Cancer Research UK works together to bring hope and drive the global fight against the disease.

Commenting on the inception of Business Beats Cancer Hull & East Riding, Rachel Speight-McGregor of Cancer Research UK, said: “Business Beats Cancer Hull & East Riding will now play a vital role in delivering this strategy locally, mobilising the business community to raise essential funds that support pioneering research, speed up innovation, and help ensure that life-saving breakthroughs benefit people across the region and beyond”.

“I first came across Gary Gallen, who will Chair the group here in Hull, when he pledged to raise £10,000 through taking on one of our competitive charity places at the London Marathon. His grit, determination and selflessness to help others has always been truly evident and I am delighted that Gary together with what is an exceptionally high-quality group of Board members, will take this initiative forward for the local region”.

Business Beats Cancer Hull & East Riding Board Members

Gary Gallen, CEO, rradar
Rob Worrell, CEO, Everywhen
Julie Thurlow, Managing Director, Hinks Insurance Brokers
Andrew Horncastle, Chairman, Horncastle Group
Jan Brumby, Chief Executive, For Entrepreneurs Only
Nathan Jones, Managing Director, Stallard Kane
Davina Gillyon, Chief Commercial Officer, rradar

Why it matters

Nearly 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime. Thanks to research, cancer survival is at an all-time high, but there is still much more to do. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to see three in four people survive their cancer for at least 10 years by 2034. Every donation, every event, and every partnership helps power this progress and brings us closer to a world where nobody has to fear a cancer diagnosis.