Management Team

Phil Alexander is Cancer Fund for Children’s CEO. He has been with the charity for ten years formerly as Director of Services, and prior to that as our Residential Services Manager during which time he was instrumental in shaping our programme of therapeutic short breaks.   Phil has over 20 years of experience working in the statutory and voluntary sector developing services for children, young people, and their families.

Neil has worked for Cancer Fund for Children since 2015. Prior to becoming Director of Services, Neil was our Community Services Manager for three years and before that Cancer Support Specialist providing direct support to children diagnosed with cancer and their families. Neil is responsible for the strategic leadership of our services, enhancing and developing new services across Ireland and working with a wide range of others to ensure children and young people impacted by cancer have the best support possible.  He has worked in the charity sector for 24 years working specifically within the child and youth sector.

Raph was appointed Cancer Fund for Children’s Residential Services Manager in 2018 and leads the team responsible for running our therapeutic short break facility at Daisy Lodge in Newcastle. During this time, he has enhanced the therapeutic support we provide to children and families impacted by cancer.  Raph has over 25 years’ experience as a Mental Health Nurse practitioner (RMN) and in senior management roles within the NHS working to achieve excellent practice in mental health services and in developing specialised community services. His present role is to deliver high quality therapeutic short breaks for families across Ireland impacted by cancer.

Rachel is Marketing and Communications Manager for Cancer Fund for Children. She leads a team responsible for raising awareness of the issues facing children and young people diagnosed with cancer. Rachel joined our team in 2005 and has worked in both fundraising and communication roles. She is member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), was Chair of CIPR Northern Ireland ‘s regional committee, and is currently secretary. Rachel has an MSc in Communications, Advertising and PR from Ulster University.

Joan is Hospitality Manager at Cancer Fund for Children. She manages the hospitality services at our therapeutic short break facility, Daisy Lodge. Since Daisy Lodge opened in 2014, Joan and her team have delivered a five star standard of service to families impacted by cancer.  Daisy Lodge has become a member of Taste of Ulster and has been awarded 5-star food hygiene rating every year since opening. Joan has worked for Cancer Fund for Children for 25 years and has worked in the hospitality industry for over 38 years. She trained as a chef gaining a diploma in Culinary Arts and is a Kitchen and Larder Specialist. Joan has a BA in International Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Ulster.

Siobhán is Director of Income Generation and Communications, responsible for leading Cancer Fund for Children’s fundraising and communications team to strategically deliver on our ambition to ensure no child faces cancer alone. Siobhán has over 23 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, primarily in income generation, marketing & communications, strategy, team development and in the recent past has held wider senior leadership positions. Siobhán has led successful and award-winning teams in health and international development charities and is an experienced fundraiser and communications professional. Siobhán is focused on optimising sustainable income across a diverse range of sources and in continuing to expand our reach, visibility, impact, and awareness to ensure that Cancer Fund for Children has the resources it needs to support, children, young people and families impacted by cancer across the island of Ireland.