Breast Cancer Haven

Pamela Healy - CEO

Pam recently left the Ministry of Defence after a 30 year career working either as a civil servant, part-time Royal Naval Reserve Officer or a regular Royal Naval Officer. During her time as a civil servant she was Head of Regional Communications for Defence; Director of Armed Forces Day and most recently member of a Task force set up by Prime Minister David Cameron to rebuild the Military Covenant.

Pam has a strong background in event management and was awarded the OBE for ‘inspiring leadership and professionalism’ as Director of Communications for Trafalgar 200 (International celebrations of the Bicentennial anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in 2005).  Previously she was PR Director for the International Festival of the Seas in 2001. 

In her civilian career Pam was Marketing, PR and Fundraising Director for the Cutty Sark Tall Ships race in 2002 and during the 1990’s she worked freelance as a Marketing and PR Director.  She was Fundraising Director for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland in the early 1990’s and between that and her full time naval service she worked in industry in sales, marketing and event management.

She has always had an interest in complementary therapies and is absolutely delighted to be able to join Breast Cancer Haven, a charity which offers so much support to women during very challenging periods of their lives.  This summer Pam walked the Inca trail to Macchu Picchu for the Breast Cancer Charity Walk the Walk. She enjoys walking, swimming, skiing, yachting, yoga, pilates as well as gardening, cookery and spending time with her teenage children.

Caroline Hoffman, PhD - Clinical Director and Research Co-ordinator

Caroline has specialised in integrated healthcare for over 20 years both in the NHS and voluntary sector. Her last NHS role was as Nurse Consultant in Cancer Rehabilitation at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Caroline’s long-standing expertise in complementary therapies enables her to lead the teams of specialist nurses, therapists and researchers across all Havens. For her PhD she evaluated the effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programme on 229 women who had been treated for breast cancer and attended Breast Cancer Haven. This rigorous study produced very positive results.

Caroline is also a member of the following national committees: The National Cancer Research Institute Complementary Therapies Clinical Studies Development Group; the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative Assessment and Care Planning sub-group; and the Editorial Board of NHS Evidence – Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Simon Lanyon - Operations Director

Simon has 20 years' experience working for the commercial sector in business information. He was Managing Director for 10 years of the largest media monitoring company outside the USA with over 300 staff. He has served as Trustee to a number of charities and became involved with the Haven as a Volunteer. He now oversees all finance and support services. 

Wendy Smith - Projects Director

Wendy Smith rejoined the charity in 2009 as a maternity cover for the Marketing Manager.  She is now Projects Director and looks after certain aspects of Marketing and PR along with other special projects for the charity. She previously worked at Breast Cancer Haven for 6 years until 2004 and was responsible for marketing and the set up of new Havens.  She has also worked in product development for the retail sector for 10 years.