New Director of Research and Advocacy and Strategic Development Lead to get us closer to a cure

Myeloma UK is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Director of Research and Advocacy and the creation of a new Strategic Development Lead, paving the way for faster and fairer access to myeloma treatment and, ultimately, a cure.

Dr Scott Purdon will step up from his role as Head of Patient Advocacy to become Director of Research and Advocacy. As director, Scott will ensure people affected by myeloma continue to receive the latest treatments and that Myeloma UK invests in research that not only allows them to live longer but better with their disease.

Meanwhile, outgoing Director of Research and Advocacy, Shelagh McKinlay, has been appointed as the first Strategic Development Lead (Research and Advocacy) to double down on our access agenda, accelerate personalised treatment and get us closer to a cure.

Dr Sophie Castell, Chief Executive at Myeloma UK, said:

“This is a pivotal time for the myeloma community and I’m thrilled that Scott and Shelagh will be taking us through the next phase of our vital work. Scott has made a significant contribution in his role as Head of Patient Advocacy over the last few years and he is exceptionally well placed to take over as director, building on the strong foundations already in place and continuing to strengthen the connection between our research and advocacy work.

“Shelagh’s knowledge, relationships and leadership have been invaluable to Myeloma UK and our mission since 2014 and her new role will allow us to go further and faster for people affected by myeloma. By focusing her efforts on getting ahead of the pack through horizon-scanning and leading on our personalised medicine and pathway development agenda, she will help us get that much closer to a cure.”

Since joining Myeloma UK as Head of Patient Advocacy in 2023, Scott has played a critical role in getting more game-changing treatments approved than ever before, including belantamab mafodotin. He’s advocated for and spearheaded much-needed change to the treatment pathway at later lines and put patient voices front and centre as head of the Charity Medicines Access Coalition.

He said:

“This role is an incredible opportunity to build on our work, ensure equal access to next-generation medicines, including CAR-T, CELMoDs and trispecific treatments, and secure a brighter future for people with myeloma. A key part of delivering for our community will involve informing and harnessing the rapid innovations that have the potential to prevent the progression of precursor conditions to myeloma and, crucially, to find that much-needed cure.”

During her 12 years at Myeloma UK, four of them as Director of Research and Advocacy, Shelagh has been instrumental in getting around a dozen treatments approved and successfully won two appeals against NICE decisions to deny access. She led on two landmark reports, A Life Worth Living and Closer to a Cure, whose stark evidence has become foundational to Myeloma UK’s work. She is also the mastermind behind our ambitious Research Strategy.

Shelagh said:

“I am delighted to be taking up this exciting new role. Every day Myeloma UK is pressing for better diagnosis, the approval of new treatments and more focus on quality of life. As Strategic Development Lead I will be able to look even further ahead to steer innovation driven by the needs of people with myeloma, from the very beginning.

“Even with the amazing progress we have seen over the past decade, all too often patients are lumped together and offered the same choices regardless of their needs and circumstances. This role will help us get ahead of the game, looking across the whole of the innovation landscape and developing personalised pathway approaches so that treatment is designed for you; whether you are younger, older, have harder-to-treat myeloma or are living with other health conditions, living on your own or with family.”

The changes will be effective from the start of 2027.