James Sanderson
CEO of Sue Ryder
James Sanderson is the CEO of Sue Ryder, one of the UK’s leading charities supporting people through terminal illness, death and grief. With more than twenty-five years of experience across health and social care, James has dedicated his career to improving services for vulnerable people and challenging inequalities in access to care.
After initially studying performing arts, he discovered his passion for helping others and began a career supporting disabled people, eventually becoming CEO of an organisation championing independent living and greater personal choice.
James went on to become National Director for Personalised Care at NHS England, where he helped develop a national approach that placed individual needs and preferences at the centre of healthcare. He also served as the founding Chief Executive of the National Academy for Social Prescribing, promoting the importance of community connections and meaningful activities in improving wellbeing.
Since joining Sue Ryder in 2024, James has focused on improving access to palliative care and encouraging more open conversations about death and dying. His leadership is guided by a commitment to tackling inequality and helping people live as fully as possible, even when facing the end of life.
James Sanderson
CEO of Sue Ryder
James Sanderson is the CEO of Sue Ryder, one of the UK’s leading charities supporting people through terminal illness, death and grief. With more than twenty-five years of experience across health and social care, James has dedicated his career to improving services for vulnerable people and challenging inequalities in access to care.
After initially studying performing arts, he discovered his passion for helping others and began a career supporting disabled people, eventually becoming CEO of an organisation championing independent living and greater personal choice.
James went on to become National Director for Personalised Care at NHS England, where he helped develop a national approach that placed individual needs and preferences at the centre of healthcare. He also served as the founding Chief Executive of the National Academy for Social Prescribing, promoting the importance of community connections and meaningful activities in improving wellbeing.
Since joining Sue Ryder in 2024, James has focused on improving access to palliative care and encouraging more open conversations about death and dying. His leadership is guided by a commitment to tackling inequality and helping people live as fully as possible, even when facing the end of life.
