Our own Professor Ruth Plummer MBE, Director of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, has been recognised at the 2025 Inspiring Women in Business Awards.
Hosted by the North East Chamber of Commerce at Newcastle Civic Centre, and supported by headline sponsor Newcastle International Airport, more than 400 guests came together to celebrate women leading innovation, driving growth and shaping opportunity across every part of the region’s economy.
Chamber president, Deborah Walton, opened the event by highlighting the importance of recognising women at every stage of their careers.
“Inspiring Women in Business reflects modern leadership, equality and ambition. It shows our commitment to ensuring that every woman at every stage of her career is represented and supported within our business community.”
Professor Plummer was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to the North East award, recognising a woman whose leadership, expertise and commitment have had a profound and lasting impact on the region.
A pioneering oncologist and clinical researcher, Professor Plummer has dedicated her career to advancing cancer treatment and improving outcomes for patients across the North East and beyond.
One of the clinicians who cared for Sir Bobby during his cancer journey, she was also fundamental to helping him launch our Foundation in 2008.
For the last 17 years she has been critical to our success in finding more effective ways to detect and treat cancer, and it is a connection that now carries forward through her leadership in shaping the vision for the £30m Sir Bobby Robson Institute – a new, world-leading cancer trials centre set to open in 2028.
Professor Plummer is now dedicating herself to raising the final £10m required to make the Institute a reality, and, once complete, it will increase cancer trial capacity by 50 per cent, attracting global research talent and bringing new hope to patients and families.
From developing groundbreaking cancer drugs to driving clinical research that has changed the lives of thousands, Professor Plummer’s impact is both personal and profound. Her compassion, expertise and commitment continue to inspire colleagues, patients and families, and her legacy will be felt for generations to come.
Reflecting on the award, she said: “It’s a privilege to contribute to work that brings real hope to patients and their families.
“The North East has a long history of innovation and collaboration in healthcare, and the Sir Bobby Robson Institute will build on that strength to deliver even greater progress for our region.”
Paying his own tribute, Mark Robson said: “I’ve known Ruth for a long time and, like all my family, I’m very grateful to her for providing my father with exceptional medical care.
“Alongside my dad, she helped launch The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in 2008 and since then, she has always driven and supported us to really make a difference in finding more effective ways to detect and treat cancer.
“We’re so thankful for her incredible energy and dedication, which is now inspiring us to fundraise for the new Sir Bobby Robson Institute and I cannot speak highly enough of her.”Ruth Plummer
