National Clinical Director for Cancer and End of Life Care.

Professor Richards was appointed as the first National Cancer Director in October 1999. In 2000 he led the development of the NHS Cancer Plan, the first comprehensive strategy to tackle cancer in England and was then responsible for overseeing its implementation. More recently he has led the development of the Cancer Reform Strategy (December 2007), the first ever End of Life Care Strategy (July 2008) and ‘Improving Outcomes: A strategy for cancer’ (January 2011). He works closely with ministers, parliamentarians, civil servants, clinicians, managers, patient groups, charities, researchers and industry to achieve the objectives of the plan.

Prior to his appointment to the Department of Health, Mike was a Consultant Medical Oncologist at Guy's Hospital specialising in breast cancer (1986-1995) and Sainsbury Professor of Palliative Medicine at St Thomas' Hospital (1995-1999). He was also Clinical Director of Cancer Services at Guy's and St Thomas' from 1993 to 1999.

Mike has been a board member of the National Cancer Research Institute since its foundation in 2001 and was chair 2006-2008.

In 2008 Mike led the Additional Drugs (top-ups) Review for the government.

Mike was appointed CBE in 2001 and was awarded a Knighthood in the 2010 New Year’s Honours.

If he ever has any spare time Mike’s hobby is hill walking, particularly in Scotland.