Cancer Research UK has announced that Ed Aspel will replace Richard Taylor as executive director of fundraising at the charity.

In a statement released last week, Cancer Research UK confirmed that Aspel, currently the director of patient engagement with the charity, will be moving into the role “gradually” over the coming months, working closely with Taylor to ensure a “smooth handover”.

Aspel has been with CRUK since 2012. Prior to moving into the voluntary sector, Aspel worked at the government’s Central Office of Information and then worked at hospitality group Whitbread as group marketing director.

Ed Aspel said: "I'm delighted to be taking on an executive director role at Cancer Research UK. I've loved working for the organisation for the past three years. But this is a whole new challenge for me and I'm looking forward to leading the directorate in implementing exciting and creative work that secures long-term income to help us beat cancer sooner."

Taylor originally announced in March 2015 that he would be leaving CRUK after 18 years, to join consumer charity Which? in a commercial director capacity.

However, in July, Taylor performed a U-turn, declaring that he would stay with CRUK because of the pressure being applied to the fundraising sector.  

According to a spokeswoman from the charity, Taylor will remain with CRUK in the “short term”. He has no immediate plans once he has handed over to Aspel.

Taylor will continue in his role as the chair of the IoF for the rest of his term.