The Institute of Cancer Research, Europe's leading cancer research centre, is delighted to announce that its Chief Executive, Professor Peter Rigby, has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the Wellcome Trust.

The Wellcome Trust, the UK's largest medical research charity, funds innovative biomedical research in the UK and internationally. In the last year alone, it has invested over ??500 million in research. The board of governors, made up of distinguished figures in the worlds of science, medicine, law, business and public life, oversees the activities of the Trust.

Lord Ryder, Chairman of The Institute of Cancer Research said: "This is an honour for Professor Rigby and The Institute of Cancer Research. I congratulate Professor Rigby in full measure on his appointment. It is testament to the great respect in which he is held in the medical research field."

Professor Peter Rigby has been Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, since 1999. He is Professor of Developmental Biology in the University of London and works on the regulation of gene expression during the development of the embryo.

Professor Rigby has been a member of Medical Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Cancer Research UK and other research charity committees, and has advised numerous biotechnology companies. He is a Non-Executive Director of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. He currently chairs the Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow Interview Committee. He was European editor of Cell for many years.

Notes:

- The Institute of Cancer Research is Europe's leading cancer research centre with expert scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Website at: icr.ac.

- The Institute works in a unique partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, forming the largest Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Europe. This relationship enables close daily contact between research scientists and those on the frontline in the fight against cancer - the clinicians, the carers and most importantly, the patients.

Institute of Cancer Research