Executive Leadership Team

Our day-to-day activities are managed by a leadership team made up of senior managers from across the organisation. 

  • John-Arne Røttingen

    Chief Executive Officer

    Wellcome

    John-Arne joined Wellcome as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in January 2024 and leads the charitable foundation’s mission to support science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone.

    Connect with John-Arne:

  • Jimmy Volmink

    Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer

    Wellcome

    Jimmy joined Wellcome in 2023 as Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer and leads our work to become an inclusive funder. He works in partnership with the whole executive leadership team to support Wellcome in becoming an inclusive employer.

    Connect with Jimmy:

  • James Thomas

    Chief Information Officer

    Wellcome

    James Thomas joined Wellcome in April 2016. He is responsible for leadership of our technology and digital services.

  • Chris Bird

    Chief Legal Officer

    Wellcome

    Chris Bird is Wellcome's senior legal adviser, and is responsible for managing all the legal needs of Wellcome and its subsidiaries.

  • Karen Chadwick

    Chief Operating Officer (Interim)

    Wellcome

    Karen joined Wellcome in autumn 2015. Her responsibilities include ensuring the best possible operating position for Wellcome in relation to financial planning, reporting and cost management.

  • Cheryl Moore

    Chief Research Programmes Officer

    Wellcome

    Cheryl Moore is Chief Research Programmes Officer, leading a broad interlinked portfolio that focuses on discovery research and three urgent health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health. She is a strategic leader who is passionate about the role of science in improving human health.

    Connect with Cheryl:

  • Beth Thompson

    Chief Strategy Officer

    Wellcome

    Beth joined Wellcome in 2009. She became interim Chief Strategy Officer in 2022 and Chief Strategy Officer in 2023, responsible for the work of the strategy and programme office, government relations and strategic partnerships, policy, and transition and legacy teams. 

    Connect with Beth:

  • Richard Eales

    Interim Chief Finance Officer

    Wellcome

    Richard joined Wellcome in 2015. He is the Interim Chief Finance Officer, responsible for leadership of Wellcome’s financial planning, reporting and cost management.

  • Mark Henderson

    Director of Corporate Affairs

    Wellcome

    Mark Henderson leads all aspects of our communications and public engagement, with a particular focus on building and sustaining trust, influence and Wellcome's reputation so that our work contributes more to health and society.

  • Kathy Poole

    Director of People

    Wellcome

    Kathy Poole joined Wellcome in August 2018 and leads the People Department.

  • Alyson Fox

    Director of Research Funding

    Wellcome

    Alyson Fox joined Wellcome in November 2010. She has responsibility for the management and governance of our grant funding and review processes.

  • Sabien Khan

    Employee Director

    Wellcome

    Alongside her role as Associate General Counsel, Commercial, Sabien is one of Wellcome's Employee Directors. As Employee Director Sabien contributes to all the conversations and decisions made by ELT, helping to achieve our mission of supporting science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone.

  • Aki MacFarlane

    Employee Director and Open Research Specialist

    Wellcome

    Alongside her role as a Open Research Specialist, Aki is one of Wellcome's Employee Directors. In this role Aki works to ensure that ELT benefits from the broadest range of perspectives, experiences and skills from teams across Wellcome.