About Business Beats Cancer® Bristol
Bristol’s business community has joined forces to fight cancer. Together, we’re helping Cancer Research UK (CRUK) achieve its fundraising goals and make a significant impact on the future of cancer treatment and prevention in the region.
Each year we host events and gala dinners to raise money for invaluable research, with the support and generosity of businesses based in Bristol and beyond.
Principal sponsor
An award-winning firm, Bishop Fleming provides Audit, Accountancy, Tax, and Advisory services across the South West and West Midlands, supporting a diverse range of clients from owner-managed businesses to public sector organisations and private individuals.
With 9 offices, nearly 50 partners, and over 500 people, their expertise, scale, and commitment make a real difference to the communities they serve.
We’re incredibly grateful for their support of Business Beats Cancer Bristol and their role in helping to fund vital research and make an impact locally.
Supporting business
Proctor + Stevenson is the UK’s longest standing independent B2B marketing agency. Having been running for over 40 years, the agency has built itself a commendable reputation in the South West and further afield.
As a full-service agency, Proctors boasts an impressive repertoire of clients and work. Making waves in the creative industry, Proctors is responsible for helping the next generation of designers through schemes such as the South West Design + Digital Student Awards.
Proctor + Stevenson is proud to be a Bristol-based agency, always striving to give back to the community and make a difference, not only in the marketing industry, but beyond.
For more than two decades, Moon Executive Search has been at the heart of business in the South West. Providing bespoke search campaigns for C-Suite leadership positions and leadership consulting programmes for businesses across a wide range of industries, they work with everyone from small, family-owned organisations to large multinationals. As well as their core Executive Search Practice, they have specialist IT and Charity divisions, offering distinctive, ethical, and approachable recruitment. Working hard to understand each client's unique culture, and to foresee the challenges and opportunities ahead, Moon prides itself on being close, trusted advisors, offering solutions to future-proof businesses and supercharge growth.
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"Supporting Cancer Research and attending the fundraising Gala Dinner is really important to us as the event will not only raise valued funds but will also raise awareness into the major research being carried out by Cancer Research UK in Bristol. The city is a major hub for research into cancer, with Cancer Research UK coordinating a £4.1m 5-year programme focusing on new ways to predict cancer, as well as ways to prevent it. We are proud to be supporting this prestigious event."
Vanessa Moon
Director of Moon Executive Search
Meet the board
The Business Beats Cancer® Bristol Board was established in 2018 and has brought together a group of committed and dynamic individuals to help unite the West of England business community. All money raised will help fund vital research projects in Bristol such as the £4.1 million Cancer Epidemiology Programme that is focussing on new ways to prevent and predict cancer developments and progression.
Kate Banks is currently the Chief People Officer at Arag UK based in Bristol. Since joining in 2015 she has been at the heart of their cultural change and in creating an inclusive working environment. Prior to joining, she worked for over 25 years in HR including 13 years at a Director level at companies including Tesco, AXA and ING Direct.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, Kate is now in remission having benefitted from early detection and modern advancements in treatment. She now describes herself as a “cancer warrior” and is a passionate supporter of CRUK in its vision to “bring about a world where everybody can lead longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer”. She joined BBCB Board in 2023 to help raise funds for cancer research in Bristol and the Southwest. She is also a mentor in CRUK’s “Women of Influence” Programme, an initiative to support female cancer scientists early on in their careers and help enable their progression to senior research roles.
Trained as a graphic designer, Roger founded Proctor + Stevenson in 1979. He advocates for British design as a global leader and believes in its positive impact economically, culturally, and socially. P+S operates across Europe, North America, the Middle and Far East, with a team of 65 staff. He has collaborated with the European Commission, served on the South West Design Programme board, and chaired Design South West. He is also involved in promoting youth sail training globally and received an honorary degree for strengthening the design industry-education connection.
“My motivation is to help raise money towards the research that Cancer Research UK do to help more and more people survive cancer. After losing five members of my close family to this dreadful disease I hope in time this can be achieved with my help and contribution.”
Alex is a partner based in the Bristol office of the Bishop Fleming accountancy practice. He advises an extensive portfolio of privately-owned businesses guiding them through the opportunities and pitfalls that can affect their business and private lives.
A key part of Alex’s role is the investment he makes in his client relationships. “Without understanding your clients’ needs and wishes, it is difficult to provide relevant, practical and timely advice – often decisions are made around personal welfare, not just money and tax!”
Alex is proud to forge these longterm relationships, especially with families where there is a requirement for consistent advice across generations.
“On a personal level I have seen the dramatic effect cancer has on families and friends. My particular interest in cancer research began with the oncology studies I undertook as part of my degree course, which coincided with my grandmother being treated for cancer at the local hospital. Suddenly I was seeing real life examples of how development of cancer treatment was having a direct effect on a close relative’s life. I have seen many people close to me succumb to cancer and some, thankfully, have survived. I feel that it is time I used my experience and contacts to help CRUK in any way I can.”
Katherine is the Commercial Partnerships Director at The HR World. Her working background is in the legal and HR sector being responsible for Business Development, Sales and Marketing for the organisations she has worked in.
Having moved back to Bristol from London just over three years ago she has enjoyed making new networks in the welcoming Bristol business community.
Having lost a close family member in the last year to cancer, and having another adversely affected by it, Katherine is determined to help CRUK raise funds to continue life saving research.
Sophie is Business Development and Marketing Director at Proctor + Stevenson, a Bristol-based B2B marketing agency and proud B Corp. She’s been part of the Bristol Business Beats Cancer board since 2022 and is passionate about using the power of business to drive positive change. With a background in marketing and communications, Sophie brings the energy and creativity of P+S to help make the annual gala a success and raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.
Geoff is the Managing Director of Clip, a company based in Bristol who create, design and build award-winning exhibition stands and events.
In the past twelve months cancer has become a very real part of Geoff’s life having lost a close friend, a larger than life character who was taken far too soon, suddenly and quickly by cancer. After attending the Business Beats Cancer Gala Dinner in October, Geoff was inspired by the heartfelt stories and fundraising efforts, joining the board to do as much as he could was an opportunity he didn’t want to miss.
If every business does a little to help raise funds and awareness that will amount to a lot. It will improve research, prevention and cure into this awful disease that affects so many people and families every single day. Being part of that positive push is why Geoff joined our board.
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Sam, the Vice President for People and Culture at GID UK (part of Phillips Medisize), brings a wealth of experience from her corporate HR background. Her true passion lies in coaching individuals to reach their full potential and supporting charitable causes, especially those related to cancer research. With a personal connection to the disease through her mother's battle, Sam is dedicated to increasing awareness about scientific advancements and aiding others in their fight against cancer.
Julian is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and is co founder and MD of Burston Cook, commercial real estate advisors.
Julian works closely with numerous local charities supporting Down Syndrome education and Meningitis search for a cure. He is a major contributor towards The Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal and an honorary Normandy veteran for his charitable work and donations.
Having supported Business Beats Cancer he was honoured to take a position on the Board.
“There is not a person who is not directly or indirectly impacted by cancer- We will beat cancer with continued and focussed research which BBCB goes far to help here in Bristol.”
Natalie is Operations Director at Halo, a Bristol based brand agency. Nat specialises in maximising organisational impact through efficiency and operational excellence. With extensive experience in navigating stakeholders and powering strategic evolution, Nat is committed to ensuring that opportunities are maximized and that the best possible outcomes become a reality. She joins the Board with a commitment to championing excellence and helping Bristol Business Beats Cancer tell its story with clarity and purpose.
Michelle is the Founder of Kommol Exec Search and for 20 years has helped ambitious tech start-ups and scale-ups find exceptional leaders to accelerate their growth. She specialises in building board and leadership teams for rapid growth VC backed SaaS companies expanding globally. “Having had multiple close friends and family members have to deal with the challenges that cancer brings, I know how critical the continued efforts to raise funding for research are. I am pleased to be able to contribute to raising money for this life-saving work through my networks and in everyway that I can.”