Dr Sheena Khanduri, Medical Director of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, has been appointed to a new role as Chief Medical Officer of a specialist oncology company and will leave the Trust at the end of July 2025.
It was in December 2017 that Sheena joined The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre as Medical Director and a Consultant Clinical Oncologist specialising in breast cancer. Over the last seven years, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening our research profile, including:
- the launch of first-in-human and early phase clinical trials, particularly of cancer vaccines and novel immunotherapies;
- renewal of our Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) status; and
- new collaborations such as our membership of the ICR and The Royal Marsden Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the NIHR Liverpool Clinical Research Facility (CRF).
In her time at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Sheena has provided executive medical leadership around important developments including the opening of our 11-storey flagship specialist cancer hospital in Liverpool in June 2020 (Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool) and Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre in 2023.
Alongside her clinical practice caring for patients with breast cancer, she has influenced a wide range of improvements around mortality and clinical outcomes and has also championed patient confidentiality as the Trust’s Caldicott Guardian.
She has overseen significant enhancements in our medical workforce to ensure clinical excellence and that patients benefit from high-quality, expert care across all types of cancer diagnosis and treatment options.
As Chair of our Digital Board she has ensured that we harness new technologies and digital innovations to enhance patient care and safety and support clinical teams and services.
She has encouraged and championed staff to develop their potential through coaching and mentorship and has overseen advances in medical education and training at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, resulting in improved feedback from students and trainees and increased numbers on placements.
Sheena is a Trustee of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and sits on the boards of Clatterbridge Private Clinic and Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance as well as The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Trust Board.
She has also been a member of several clinical reviews for non-surgical oncology centres and has contributed to national and regional policy decisions around cancer care.
Sheena said:
My seven years at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre have been incredible. Developing and opening Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool is obviously one of the most significant memories I will take from my time here but there have been so many special times, including securing ECMC status once again and our new research collaborations with our BRC and CRF partners.
It has been wonderful to be part of such a strong and supportive team here at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and the dedication of our staff in delivering high-quality care to our patients is something I am extremely proud of.
Chief Executive Joan Spencer said:
Sheena has been a thoughtful and inspirational clinical leader who combines a willingness to embrace new techniques and technologies with great judgement and commitment to patient care. She has also been an amazing colleague and member of the Executive Team. We will miss her hugely but know her new role is a fantastic opportunity and she will be a great success in it.
We will now begin putting arrangements in place to ensure The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre continues to benefit from excellent medical leadership when Sheena leaves.
