Business leaders team up to run for Cancer Research UK

Chief executives from the world of business and finance are swapping the challenges of the boardroom for the rigours of the London Marathon to raise money for Cancer Research UK. 

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, CEO of Virgin Money, the official sponsor of the London Marathon and Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK – the official Charity of the Year for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2015 – will captain a Business Leaders team comprising: 

• Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England
• Antony Jenkins, group chief executive, Barclays 
• Anthony Gutman, co-head of investment banking at Goldman Sachs
• Peter Jackson, chief executive of Travelex 

The team today visited the Francis Crick Institute in London Kings Cross to see the final stages of construction and learn first-hand how the money they raise will support the ground-breaking research facility. 

The sponsorship that the Business Leaders raise from running the Marathon will contribute to the £2.5 million Cancer Research UK is aiming to raise at this year’s event, its highest fundraising target for the Marathon to date. 

The money raised by Cancer Research UK’s runners will help build the Francis Crick Institute – a world leading centre of biomedical research and innovation. It will house 1,200 leading scientists from a variety of disciplines working together under one roof to tackle the biggest health challenges faced by humankind. 

“Cancer Research UK is the official charity of the Virgin Money London Marathon for the first time, and all our runners will be raising money to help build the Francis Crick Institute; a pioneering medical research institute in central London” – Harpal Kumar, chief executive

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Virgin Money’s chief executive, said: “The Virgin Money London Marathon is one of the most inspiring community and sporting events in the world, and it has been a huge privilege to be associated with this fantastic event for the past five years. We set ourselves the target of raising £1/4 billion for good causes when we commenced our sponsorship in 2010, and we smashed through that target last year. We hope 2015 will be yet another record-breaking year for all involved.

“I’ve been a spectator for the last 5 years, but when Harpal Kumar from Cancer Research UK, the official charity of the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon, asked me to join him in a team of business leaders to run to raise funds for the Francis Crick Institute, I just had to say yes. The Francis Crick Institute, a new multi-discipline, state of the art research centre, will be a landmark development in the bid to cure cancer and other diseases. 

“This will be my first marathon and a huge personal challenge, but I’m looking forward to it immensely.” 

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “This is a big year for Cancer Research UK. We’re the official charity of the Virgin Money London Marathon for the first time, and all our runners will be raising money to help build the Francis Crick Institute; a pioneering medical research institute in central London.

“When it’s completed later this year, the Francis Crick Institute will be game-changing for medical research. Scientists will work together across many different areas to make rapid progress in our understanding of a range of diseases, including cancer, which will help us treat them more effectively in the future.

“Cancer Research UK’s marathon team of 2015, the biggest we’ve had to date, aims to raise £2.5 million to support the Francis Crick Institute. And I’m proud to be running alongside Jayne-Anne Gadhia as part of our Business Leaders team.”

Antony Jenkins, group chief executive, Barclays said: “I am excited to be running with the other Business Leaders in support of Cancer Research UK, and wish everybody taking part this year the best of luck.”

Anthony Gutman, co-head of investment banking at Goldman Sachs said: “I cannot think of a more important cause than the Francis Crick Institute and I cannot think of a more ridiculous sporting endeavour than running 26 miles; that’s a combination I couldn’t turn down!”  

Peter Jackson, chief executive, Travelex said: “Having seen a close friend recently die at a young age from cancer I wanted to help raise funds to support the Francis Crick Institute – a great institution who make a real difference.”

To support Cancer Research UK’s biggest ever marathon team and help raise £2.5 million, visit cancerresearchuk.org/marathon

ENDS

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