Monitise founder and former Bishop’s Stortford College student Alastair Lukies leads Prostate Cancer UK’s development board
Entrepreneur and former Bishop’s Stortford College student Alastair Lukies is the new chair of Prostate Cancer UK’s development board.
The 51-year-old will work with the men’s health charity to secure the resources needed to revolutionise early diagnosis, unlock research to discover better treatments and secure funding for support services.
Mr Lukies founded mobile banking company Monitise in 2003 and, in 2007, led its demerger from Morse and listing on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market. During his tenure as chief executive, Monitise grew to a market capitalisation of $2 billion and employed 1,700 staff across four continents.
He is currently chief engagement officer and global advisory board chair for Endava, one of the UK’s leading business transformation and AI integration groups. He is also founder and chair of Pollinate International and chair of the Fintech Alliance.
In 2014, he was awarded a CBE for services to mobile banking and charity. The same year, he was appointed as a business ambassador by then Prime Minister David Cameron and is a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Council.
His appointment comes at a critical time for the charity. The disease is not only the most common cancer in men, but it has also become the commonest cancer in England.
He said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to join Prostate Cancer UK as chair of the development board. From prostate cancer becoming the most common cancer in England to a spate of high-profile diagnoses, including that of President Biden, this year alone has shown the urgent need for bold, innovative action on one of the biggest health risks men face.
“I’m committed to helping unlock the funding and partnerships needed to fuel life-changing research, speed up early diagnosis and ensure no man faces this disease without support. This is a moment for us to be ambitious because men’s lives are on the line.”
Data analysis released by the charity in January showed the number of diagnoses for prostate cancer surpassed those of breast cancer for two years in a row, increasing by 25% between 2019 and 2023.
More than 50,000 men are diagnosed each year, and 12,000 a year lose their lives to the disease.
It remains the most common cancer without a screening programme. Last year, Prostate Cancer UK launched its £42 million TRANSFORM trial – the most ambitious of its kind – to determine how best to deliver screening for all men that saves lives.
The charity has also led a consortium of men’s health charities to collectively challenge the National Screening Committee to implement targeted screening for those at the highest risk, with a decision expected later this year.
Prostate Cancer UK chief executive Laura Kerby said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Alastair to this exciting new role and look forward to working together.
“His passion for making a lasting impact for men and those who love them, combined with his strategic insight, extensive networks and business acumen, make him an outstanding addition to our team at a crucial time in our charity’s history.
“One in eight men will get prostate cancer, and the earlier it’s found, the easier it is to treat. Despite this, prostate cancer still has no national screening programme, and GPs remain bound by outdated NHS guidance that fails men at the highest risk.
“We’re calling for urgent change to create a fairer and more equitable system. We’re asking the Government to update NHS guidelines so GPs can proactively start conversations about prostate cancer with men at highest risk from the age of 45, and we urgently await the outcome of the National Screening Committee’s decision that has been years in the making.
“Our development board, led by Alastair, will be critical in unlocking a better future for our dads, brothers, sons and mates.
“It will enable us to fund more pioneering research, like our TRANSFORM trial, deliver more personalised support to men and their families, and drive a step-change in early diagnosis that will save more men’s lives. We embrace facing the challenges ahead and look forward to making a positive impact for generations to come.”
Chair of the charity’s board of trustees, Doris Olulode, said: “Alastair’s leadership, deep commitment to creating positive impact for men and track record of innovation will be invaluable as we advance our mission. I have no doubt that his insight and energy will help us build an even stronger future, and we look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead.”