Brain Tumour Support CEO steps down

20 June 2024 | News

Brain Tumour Support’s Founder and CEO steps down after 21 years.

At the end of July, Tina Mitchell Skinner, the Founder of Brain Tumour Support and CEO for the past 21 years, will be stepping down from her leadership role.  The transition has been in planning for some time to enable a smooth succession with Deputy CEO, Emma McKeown stepping up into the position.

Tina founded the charity (originally named Hammer Out) in 2003 following the tragic loss of her husband Paul, 18 months after he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour. He was just 37. The isolation and fear that they felt in facing the terrifying diagnosis, without information and appropriate support, propelled Tina to set up a pioneering support service to connect and help other families similarly affected.

Speaking about her decision to step down, Tina said, “I naturally feel a mixture of emotions, as the charity has been such a huge part of my life for so long. However, part of my role is succession planning and I have been doing this for a long while now. Following the memorable 20th Anniversary last year, which highlighted two decades of providing support and developing a service responsive to the complex challenges faced by those in our community, I firmly believe that now is the right time for Emma to take the charity through its next stage of growth and development.”

Tina Mitchell Skinner with Emma McKeown

“It is also a time for me to move on to other projects I have wanted to do, and I have no doubt that the charity will continue to flourish under Emma’s brilliant leadership. Having worked together for several years she is both a valued colleague and now a friend. We share the same passion, vision and values and we have worked on the charity’s strategy together. Of course, I will be sad not to be a part of the team to see the strategy unfold first hand, but I will always be dedicated to speaking about Brain Tumour Support’s services and the difference we make to those living with a brain tumour and their families and of course, continuing to raise vital funds.”

Brain Tumour Support started as a simple telephone support line from Tina’s own home in South Gloucestershire. Thanks to many passionate volunteers, fundraisers and supporters, and Tina’s tireless commitment, the charity’s pioneering work developed, including in the early years the funding of pivotal research projects which helped change the course of brain tumour treatments offered in Bristol. Dedicated support workers, specialist counselling and annual weekend conferences became established, and support groups were set up across the South West and Midlands, before further expanding north to Manchester and into Wales. When the Covid-19 pandemic forced all face-to-face support to be suspended, Brain Tumour Support developed its services online and, with a support team of twelve, the charity now reaches out to support people across the whole of the UK.

Whilst the transition occurs during an extremely challenging period for charities, including Brain Tumour Support, the organisation remains steadfast in its vision that no one will be alone when facing the diagnosis of a brain tumour.

Emma Brereton, Brain Tumour Support’s Chair of Trustees, paid tribute to Tina’s achievements,

“Tina has been, and is, an inspiration. Her legacy of kindness, thought and consideration for all will live on through Brain Tumour Support by her determination to put in place a wonderful team, enabling the charity to thrive and continue its life-changing support into the future.”

Watch Tina’s video message on the announcement of stepping down as CEO:

Find out more:

Read Tina’s story and about how the charity was founded

Listen to Tina’s interview on BBC Radio Bristol, remembering Paul Mitchell