Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Dr Cary Adams is the Chief Executive Officer of UICC. He has occupied this position since 2009.

Photo of Cary Adams, CEO of UICC

Born in London, Cary Adams has a BSc Honours degree in Economics, Computing and Statistics, a Masters degree (with distinction) in Business Administration. He is a Harvard Business School alumni and has received two Honorary Doctorates in International Relations and Health.

In 2009, Cary made a career change, moving from the management of international businesses in the banking sector to become CEO of UICC, based in Geneva – the largest international cancer NGO of its kind with more than 1,150 member organisations in over 170 countries and territories. 

UICC unites and supports the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, to promote greater equity, and to integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda. UICC also boasts more than 60 strategic partners.

Cary also served two terms as Chair of the NCD Alliance Board, a coalition of around 2,000 organisations working on non-communicable diseases, which include cancer, diabetes, heart, respiratory, mental and neurological diseases.

In 2014, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in International Relations from the University for Business and International Studies in Geneva, and in 2015 an Honorary Doctorate in Health from Bath University in the UK. In May 2015, Cary was awarded ‘CEO of the year’ at the International and European Association conference organised by the Associations Network.

He also received the 2023 International Healthcare Leadership Award by the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL). The award recognises his significant contributions to global healthcare and his dedication to fostering leadership within the sector. 

 

A group of the Board of Directors 2022-2024 pose for a photo at the World Cancer Congress 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland (October 2022)

UICC is governed by its member organisations, who meet in a genera assembly, held virtually shortly before the World Cancer Congress, every two years. Between assemblies, a board of directors, elected by the General Assembly, acts as the executive body of UICC.

Anil D'Cruz receiving an ovation at the General Assembly 2018 held during World Cancer Congress 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of the Union for International Cancer Control. 

A group of the Board of Directors 2022-2024 pose for a photo at the World Cancer Congress 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland (October 2022)

Between assemblies, a board of 16 directors, elected by the General Assembly, acts as the governing body of UICC.

Ulrika Årehed Kågström – President-elect 2022-2024

Ulrika Årehed Kågström from Sweden is UICC President 2024-2026.

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, from Nigeria, is UICC President-elect 2024-2026.

Last update

Thursday 03 October 2024

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