Our Team

Working together to make a difference.

From our CEO and Co-Founders, to our Trustee board and Youth Ambassadors.

The support we provide to teenagers and young adults during and after cancer is only made possible with a committed team, who are passionate about making a difference, and dedicated to making it happen.

From fundraising, to beneficiary support, marketing, and operations; we cover it all

in-house with our skilled team.

Our CEO & Co-Founders

"I'm privileged to lead the Teens Unite team, dedicated to improving the lives of every teenager & young adult living with cancer across the UK.

It is an honour to work alongside our passionate co-founders and board of trustees to make a life-changing difference."

Roxanne Lawrance
CEO

"I'm so incredibly proud to see Teens Unite continue to grow, and provide more teenagers and young adults with the opportunities they deserve to flourish, and achieve, without cancer holding them back."

Karen Millen OBE
Co-Founder

"I co-founded Teens Unite in 2007 to ensure teenagers and young adults received the vital support needed outside of medical care during and after cancer.

Teens Unite remains the only charity filling this void, and it's a privilege to play such a vital role in transforming the lives of young people."

Debbie Pezzani BEM
Co-Founder

Our Board of Trustees

Teens Unite is governed by a board of trustees, who bring a wealth of experience in their specialist field.

Together, they volunteer their time and expertise to oversee the overall management and direction of Teens Unite, making key decisions about how we operate, our finances, and ensuring we are achieving our objectives.

Business leader, best-selling author and PhD graduate with 15+ years’ experience in successfully building organisations, teams, processes and systems across Pharma, Biotech and HealthTech.

Despite having spent her career focusing on bringing life-changing medical treatments to patients, Rebecca recognises that the needs of teenagers and young adults overcoming cancer goes beyond this.

Dr Rebecca Godfrey
Chair

GP, cancer survivor, TV medical expert, and campaigner.

Through her own lived experience of cancer, Dr Anisha guides us on the support needed outside of medical care, during and after cancer.

She is committed to amplifying the voice of the young people we support; ensuring their experiences and needs are heard.

Dr Anisha Patel
Beneficiary and
Safeguarding Lead

Former Area Director and Relationship Director for Lloyds Banking Group.

Patrick benefits from 38 years' banking experience, working at senior level.

He is the Treasurer for Teens Unite, overseeing our finances, supporting with planning and forecasting, and maximising the value of our funds.

Patrick Maslen
Finance Lead

WIX LOGOS (83)_edited_edited_edited_edit

Marketing Director (Home and Clothing) for the largest supermarket chain in the UK, Tesco.

Having worked at a senior level across communications, campaigns, and consumer PR, Sarah is able to use her expertise to drive brand awareness for Teens Unite, grow our supporters base, and help us reach more young people who need us.

Sarah Parmar
Marketing Lead

Business owner, entrepreneur and investor, with over 30 years experience specialising in fashion design and manufacturing.

Jason is an expert when it comes to recognising a gap in the market, understanding consumer needs, and bringing a vision to life.

That's why he's the lead on our capital project - the first retreat in England for young people impacted by cancer.

Jason Marchant
Capital Project Lead

Former Key Account Manager and Head of National Accounts for one of Europe’s largest water and coffee companies.

Natalie recognises the importance of making connections and building relationships.

As Fundraising Lead, Natalie uses this skillset to drive income for Teens Unite, enabling us to grow as an organisation and support more teenagers and young adults.

Natalie Collins
Fundraising and
Partnerships Lead

Our Youth Ambassadors

Teens Unite is guided by the lived experience of the teenagers and young adults we support.

Our Youth Ambassadors form an advisory board; providing a valuable insight into the needs of young people during and after cancer, and how our support can make the most positive impact.

Meet James

WORLDWIDE

"Teens Unite has helped to rebuild my confidence. They've push me to live my best life and constantly challenge myself. By bringing similar young people together we’ve been able to create a tight network where we can all support each other at any point during our cancer journey.

I joined as a Teen ambassador to do whatever I can to assist the charity and give the next young person the same amazing experience I’ve had."

James
Diagnosed with Testicular Cancer,
aged 19

"Teens Unite has played a massive part in my journey to where I am today.

This is why supporting the charity through our work as Teen Ambassadors has been such a fantastic opportunity to give back, and hope that this contributes to other young people having the same experience as I did.

I want to raise awareness, offer peer support, and highlight the specific challenge young people diagnosed with cancer face."

Ciara
Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, aged 16

"Teens Unite have allowed me to build a support network of people who understand what I've gone through, so I've always got a community to turn to no matter what - a community that feels like family now!

As an ambassador, my main goal is to ensure as many young people hear about Teens Unite as possible, and that when they've joined, they feel supported and welcomed enough to attend activities."

Mikhaila
Diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma,
aged 19

"When I was going through treatment, I felt alone, like no one understood me. I was introduced to Teens Unite and my life changed. I felt at home almost instantly. I felt like it was okay to talk about things for the first time and the team as well as other teens made me feel like I could achieve anything if I put my mind to it.

Teens unite has made me a much more confident individual who is now not afraid to push the boundaries and do things I never could have imagined would be possible. "

Sarah
Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma,
aged 11

"Teens Unite helped me come out of my shell, and rebuild my confidence after treatment.

I connected with people who went through what I did - something I'd never had the opportunity to do before.

I now want to ensure other young people can benefit from Teens Unite's support in the same way I have."

Zaki
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma,
aged 19

"After treatment finishes you are left to go live your life and people automatically assume that you’re okay. For me that was the most loneliest and overwhelming time.

I then discovered Teens Unite which made me realise that I’m not alone and that there are amazing people here who understand what I’ve been through.

As an ambassador I hope to show people that there is a community here who understand."

Khadra
Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma,
aged 17

"Teens Unite helped me build relationships with people who relate well to what I have gone through.

As an ambassador, I only hope to make the same positive difference to everyone I came in contact with through Teens Unite."

Rachel
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma
aged 17

"Teens Unite has completely transformed my perspective on life after cancer. While they couldn't magically clear my brain fog or make my hair grow overnight, they gave me something far more valuable: a sense of belonging.

As an Ambassador, I want to be a voice for those who might not be able to advocate for themselves and ensure that young people affected by cancer are truly seen, heard, and supported. I hope to inspire others, drive positive change, and remind every young person facing cancer that they are never alone."

Caroline
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma
aged 17

Be a part of
Teens Unite

We don’t currently have any vacancies to join our team, but if you would still like to show your support and be part of what we do, you can find out more about volunteering with us.

Find out more

Our Team

Working together to make a difference.

Our CEO & Co-Founders

Roxanne Lawrance CEO

Karen Millen OBE Co-Founder

Debbie Pezzani BEM Co-Founder

Our Board of Trustees

Dr Rebecca Godfrey Chair

Dr Anisha Patel Beneficiary and Safeguarding Lead

Patrick Maslen Finance Lead

Sarah Parmar Marketing Lead

Jason Marchant Capital Project Lead

Natalie Collins Fundraising and Partnerships Lead

Our Youth Ambassadors

James Diagnosed with Testicular Cancer, aged 19

Ciara Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, aged 16

Mikhaila Diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma, aged 19

Sarah Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, aged 11

Zaki Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, aged 19

Khadra Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, aged 17

Rachel Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma aged 17

Caroline Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma aged 17

Be a part of Teens Unite