Cancer Relief Gibraltar has announced that Gráinne McKenna will step down as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1st October 2026, after thirteen years of dedicated service and leadership.
Since joining the charity in 2013, Gráinne has played an instrumental role in its development, helping transform Cancer Relief from a small organisation with limited resources into the respected, professional and compassionate charity it is today. Her tenure has seen the growth of free, comprehensive cancer support services, the development of the Cancer Relief Centre, the expansion of clinical, counselling and complementary therapy provision and the establishment of Gibraltar’s first community-based Hospice Outreach Service.
Commenting on Gráinne’s Departure
Commenting on Gráinne’s departure, Chair of the Board, Fabian Vinet, said:
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Gráinne for her extraordinary contribution to Cancer Relief. Through her vision, dedication and unwavering commitment to those affected by cancer, she has helped transform the charity into the respected and valued organisation it is today. Gráinne’s leadership has been characterised not only by strategic achievement, but also by compassion, integrity and a deep belief in the importance of supporting people through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Her legacy will be felt for many years to come through the services she has helped develop, the team she has nurtured and the countless individuals and families she has supported.
Thank you, Gráinne, for thirteen remarkable years of service, leadership and friendship. It has been such a privilege to work alongside you. The Board, staff, volunteers, supporters and the wider community owe you a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid. Whilst we will miss her greatly, we are delighted that the charity’s future will be in the hands of Nic McCheyne, who has worked closely with Gráinne for many years and whose commitment, experience and understanding of Cancer Relief make her exceptionally well placed to build on the strong foundations that Gráinne leaves behind. The Board very much looks forward to working with, and supporting, Nic as she leads Cancer Relief into its next chapter.”
Reflecting on her time with the charity, Gráinne said:
“It has been an absolute honour to have spent the past 13 years with Cancer Relief and to have worked alongside such a dedicated and compassionate team of colleagues from the charity and the GHA, volunteers, supporters and Board members. I am immensely grateful for the trust, support and friendships I have received throughout my time with the charity, and for the many wonderful memories I will take with me. I leave with an enormous sense of pride in what we have accomplished together and in the difference Cancer Relief continues to make to the people of Gibraltar. While stepping down is undoubtedly an emotional decision, I am confident that the strong foundations we have built together will provide a platform for Cancer Relief’s continued success under its new leadership. It has been a true privilege to be part of something that matters so deeply to our community.”
A New Chapter for Cancer Relief
The Board of Trustees has appointed Nic McCheyne as Chief Executive Officer from 1st October 2026. Having worked closely alongside Gráinne for almost eight years, she brings extensive operational experience, a deep understanding of the charity’s mission and values, and a strong commitment to ensuring Cancer Relief continues to meet the needs of the community for many years to come.
As Cancer Relief looks to the future, Nic will continue to build on the strong foundations established under Gráinne’s leadership, protecting her legacy while working to ensure the charity’s continued sustainability and its ongoing support for people affected by cancer, their families and the wider community.
Speaking about her appointment, Nic said:
“I am delighted to take on the role of CEO at Cancer Relief Gibraltar and to continue supporting a charity that means so much to our community. I do so with heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Gráinne, with whom I have had the privilege of working with for almost eight years, and who has been an inspirational mentor throughout that time. I look forward to leading our fabulous team forward, guided by the values that matter most to me: a strong commitment to community and to people, which will always remain at the heart of all we do.”
