About Karen Vincent
I am CEO of Big C, the region’s leading independent cancer charity, providing support, information and wellbeing services to people affected by cancer.
We asked Karen to look back and reflect on her younger self…
Q&As
What inspired you to become CEO of Big C?
My connection to Big C is deeply personal. It began aged 13 when I lost my 15-year-old cousin to cancer, which had a profound impact on me and our family. Then both my parents faced cancer. These experiences change you; they give you clarity about what truly matters.
Taking on the role at Big C was never about career progression, it was personal. I knew the charity having fundraised and having served as a trustee, and believed wholeheartedly in its mission. It felt like coming full circle, honouring loved ones I’ve lost and serving a community that matters deeply to me.
How would you describe yourself at 18?
Shy, but quietly determined. I was raised with a belief that anything is possible if you put the work in.
If you could go back knowing what you know now, what three things would you tell yourself when you first became a CEO?
- Expect the unexpected.
- Leadership is less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions.
- The best decisions you will make will be shaped by diverse perspectives and honest conversations.
How did public service prepare you for this role?
It instilled the importance of responsibility, accountability and staying focused on the people you serve. A mindset that remains with me. At Big C, we are custodians of our supporters’ generosity, and behind every strategy and every funding decision, I see families sitting in waiting rooms navigating uncertainty. A responsibility I don’t take lightly.
What are the biggest lessons you have learnt professionally?
Adversity shapes you far more than success, humility keeps you grounded; you don’t lead because you have all the answers but because you listen, learn and make space for others’ expertise. Above all, stay true to yourself – integrity really matters to me!
Which has had the biggest impact?
The challenges and unexpected setbacks that catch you off-guard. I’ve learnt that growth comes from finding the courage to steady yourself and rise each time the ground shifts beneath you.
How did you deal with a mistake and what did you learn from the experience?
Attempting to design and project‑manage my own self‑build home while working full‑time and single – that tested my resilience! But also taught me that tackling things alone isn’t heroic, just an efficient way to discover your limits the hard way.
What are your ambitions for the future?
My ambition is simple – to ensure Big C is a resilient, sustainable charity; one that’s always here for people when they need us and ready for whatever tomorrow brings.
I’m committed to collaboration with the remarkable researchers at Norwich Research Park, whose groundbreaking discoveries inspire real hope for the future.
What does the future have in store for you personally?
Hopefully a balance of challenge, purpose and time with the people who matter most; to keep learning and contributing. Whatever comes next, I hope it allows me to make a positive difference, while remembering to enjoy life along the way, as you never know what’s around the corner…
