Our people

Ian joined our founder, Christine, as a trustee and chairman when she started the charity in 2003. Having served on the board for 13 years he is now Honorary Life President.

He is a British businessman who was chief executive and chairman of Tesco. He subsequently went to Vodafone as chairman. Ian brings a wealth of experience and support to Hope for Tomorrow.

Ross is one of the most successful and innovative technical directors in Formula 1 history. Ross says “Most of us have been affected by cancer in one way or another, either directly or with loved ones.

I lost my mother to cancer so I have always been very keen to support the team at Hope for Tomorrow because they are clearly making a difference to the lives of people battling against cancer”.

“I was delighted to become a patron of Hope for Tomorrow and to be a small part of this amazing charity. I am thrilled that the mobile cancer care unit in East Kent is named Caron.

Travelling for cancer treatment is difficult; Hope for Tomorrow have identified this problem and it’s just amazing to see how their mobile cancer care units make life easier for so many patients.”

David Richards is a former World Rally Champion, chairman of Motorsport UK and the founder and chairman of Prodrive, one of the world’s leading motorsport and advanced technology businesses.

He says “I was honoured to launch the mobile cancer care unit for Cornwall, named ‘Dorothy’, in memory of my grandmother, who sadly died of cancer. I am sure that had one of Hope for Tomorrow’s mobile cancer care units existed in those days, she may well have lived for many years longer.”

Derek raced in Formula 1, but more memorably in sports cars, winning two world championships, the Le Mans 24 hour race five times and the Daytona 24h three times. He was awarded an MBE in 1986 for his services to motorsport.

He says “What Hope for Tomorrow has achieved is incredible, and I am more than proud to be a small cog in that dynamic wheel”.

David Brabham was one of the world’s elite sports car racers, a triple Le Mans 24 Hours class-­winner, double American Le Mans Series Champion and former Formula 1 driver.

He says “It’s an honour to be a patron for Hope for Tomorrow and to support their vital work. My father, Sir Jack Brabham, supported the charity and it’s a pleasure to continue the association he established.”

Geoffrey and his wife Ina founded a successful nationwide fleet management company, which became the largest independent fleet management group in the UK.

He says “The invitation to become a patron was very humbling and I feel very privileged to be a part of this dynamic organisation.”

Martin enjoyed 10 seasons of F1 racing and won Le Mans and Daytona 24 hour races, along with the World Sportscar Championship, before moving to the commentary box working with ITV and BBC. He is currently a lead commentator with Sky Sports F1. Martin says: “It’s always been clear to me that the charity makes a significant difference to the lives of cancer sufferers and their families, at a most crucial time.”

During his high-performance career Nick has worked with Ford, Aston Martin, Prodrive, British American Racing. Nick played a key role in one the most remarkable success stories in world motorsport when, together with fellow charity patron Ross Brawn, he bought the Honda Formula One team for £1.00 in a management buyout. They won both the constructors’ and driver 2009 F1 World championship under the Brawn GP banner.

Nick transitioned to a UK Business Ambassador role, consultant, and venture capitalist. He continues to play a very active role in the world of sport, engineering, and business, as well as being an ambitious, supportive patron of Hope for Tomorrow.

Paula began her career in publishing producing a monthly business newsletter. As an offshoot to this Paula set up a mail order book business called Success Classics Library — her bestseller was a book called The Lazy Man’s Way to Riches selling some 180,000 copies.

In the 1970s Paula sold the newsletter business and with the proceeds bought a property in the South West. Her first tenants were charity founder Christine and her husband David. Paula says this was the beginning of a very happy relationship.

Jamie is one of Britain’s most successful female racing drivers. For many years she has been a great supporter of Hope for Tomorrow, frequently wearing the charity logo on her race suits.

Jamie says: “I’m delighted to be an Ambassador for Hope for Tomorrow, the charity has been very close to my heart for many years. The mobile cancer care units provide essential treatment in state of the art clinical units. I’m proud to support the charity as it continues on its journey of bringing cancer care closer to patients homes.”

Harry is one of Britain’s most exciting drivers and continues to establish himself as one of the UK’s fastest men on four wheels. He has consistently delivered big results throughout his career, including taking the chequered flag as a two-time winner in his class at Le Mans 24 Hours.

Hope for Tomorrow are proud that Harry is an active supporter and ambassador for the charity.

Darren is one of the UK’s most successful and experienced racing drivers and has had a busy racing career in single-seaters, touring cars and sports cars. He also worked for many years as a test driver for the McLaren F1 Team.

Darren is a key member of the Aston Martin Racing team, a partnership that has seen him win the toughest race of them all, the Le Mans 24 Hours, three times.

Jonathan is an established and respected sports journalist, presenter and commentator. His career includes being the lead commentator for the BBC’s Formula 1 coverage, the Football League Show, sports presenter on the Radio 4 Today programme and for his Olympic commentary in 2012 and 2016.

Jonathan plays a key role as a Hope for Tomorrow ambassador, continually raising awareness and much needed funds for the charity.

On becoming an ambassador in September 2022, Lisa said: “I want everyone to know how amazing the Hope for Tomorrow charity is and how its incredible and easily accessible mobile units are making cancer treatment a much less overwhelming experience for so many patients.

“At a difficult time for the NHS and when household incomes are being squeezed, the charity is able to make a valuable contribution to cancer care. We should all have access to a Hope for Tomorrow mobile cancer unit.”

Gloucester Rugby player Mark Atkinson officially joined Hope for Tomorrow as an ambassador in early 2024. 

On his role, he said, “I’m delighted to say that I’m now an ambassador for Hope for Tomorrow. This Gloucestershire-based charity relies solely on fundraising to provide mobile cancer care units across the country so that more cancer patients can receive treatment in more convenient locations. I’m looking forward to working with the team to raise awareness and support with fundraising efforts.”

Former racing driver and motoring broadcaster, Amanda Stretton joined the team of ambassadors as an exciting addition in March 2024.

In a statement about her involvement, she said, “I’m very much looking forward to working with the Hope for Tomorrow team…. Helping to spread the word about the essential role the charity’s mobile cancer care units play in helping to deliver cancer treatment closer to patients is something that I’m proud to lend my voice to.”