Dr Verna Lavender is Head of Guy’s Cancer Academy UK, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London and holds visiting academic posts at both King’s College London and the University of Surrey. She is an internationally recognised cancer researcher and educator, has a unique profile as both a scientist and a nurse. Verna has extensive experience and skills in practice development and leadership in cancer nursing and was President of the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) 2019-2021. Since its inception Verna has been a member of the Health Education England Aspiring Cancer Career and Education Development Programme (ACCEnD) Steering Group and co-chairs the Registered to Enhanced Practice HEE ACCEND work stream.

She wrote, published, and evaluated the Macmillan Cancer Support-funded, co-designed national online education resource: Personalised Care and Support Planning for People with Cancer; co-edited UKONS core textbook Fundamentals of Cancer Care; is a member of the UKONS SACT Competence Assessment Passport Steering Group; chairs the National Acute Oncology Education Group and is the Project Lead for the Acute Oncology Competence Assessment Passport Project.