Karen Watson, Chief Finance and Operations Officer

Karen is responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient day-to-day operations and the overall financial management of Macmillan. She works to make sure that all Macmillan’s activity works together to maximise impact for people living with cancer. She is responsible for using insight to develop our overarching operational strategy and is accountable for how we manage and spend our money.

Karen leads our Finance and Operations Directorate, a skilled team of experts whose work helps Macmillan run efficiently and effectively.

Karen is passionate about ensuring that we are as efficient and effective as possible - to make sure we're investing as much as possible in support for people living with cancer.

Karen joined Macmillan in January 2024. She was previously Chief Finance and Operations Officer at the English National Opera.

Karen has a wealth of knowledge and experience in financial planning and management, strategy and business development as well as customer analytics and insight. She has a passion for bringing together creative and commercial strategies and teams, providing ways of working that build impact.  

Karen has delivered significant restructuring, cultural-change, and outsourcing programmes at organisations including, Sky, SABMiller, IBM and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Connect with Karen on social media: LinkedIn.

Karen is an accomplished runner, having completed numerous marathons and ultra-marathons including being a three-time finisher of the famous Marathon des Sables. She has recently reignited an old passion for horse riding. Karen is married and lives with her partner and three teenage sons in West London.