The Christie International (Consulting) team

Dr Lee graduated from University of Melbourne, Australia in 1997. From there, he started his general medical training in the UK.  

He started working in oncology at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in 2000 after completing his MRCP. During Dr Lee’s training in oncology at The Christie, he also visited the MD Anderson cancer centre and William Beaumont Hospital in the USA to develop further specific technical skills in intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). 

Dr Lee is one of the clinical leads who developed stereotactic lung radiotherapy for lung cancer for the first time in the North West. He is currently involved with new developments in IMRT and proton beam therapy for head and neck cancers. 

Dr Lee is currently the clinical director for clinical oncology at the Trust and the lead expert clinical advisor on several Christie International projects.

Dr Abdulwahid started working in oncology at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in 2016, after completing her MD at the University of Buckingham and her MRCP. During her training in oncology at The Christie, she developed technical skills in intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and proton beam therapy. 

Dr Abdulwahid has run training and educational projects for doctors in training at The Christie. She is currently working with a specialist team to expand quality improvement in the Trust and create effective partnership between clinicians and quality improvement staff. 

She currently works in the proton beam therapy centre at The Christie and serves as a clinical advisor on several Christie International projects.

Alastair Leslie-Dakers is a seasoned professional in radiotherapy and oncology, advising on a range of international projects. He holds an MSc in Radiotherapy and Oncology and an MBA. He has been with The Christie since 2011. Alastair has been recognised for his exceptional work, winning the NHS England Chief Allied Health Professionals Award for the Creative Provision of Placements in 2021.

At The Christie, Alastair has held several important roles, including radiotherapy and management positions. He has worked with specialist teams to expand the use of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and clinical trial techniques, demonstrating his commitment to improving patient care and advancing the field.

Alastair is passionate about his work and always looks for new and innovative ways to help patients. With his expertise and experience, he is making a difference in the lives of those he serves through his work on international projects.

Professor Handley began her career in radiotherapy physics in 1990 after completing a PhD in biomedical engineering. She is now head of the radiotherapy physics group at The Christie. 

During her time in Manchester, Professor Handley has played a key role in establishing the cranial stereotactic radiotherapy service at the Salford radiotherapy centre with Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. She was heavily involved in the development of the national proton beam therapy (PBT) service and is a contributor to the international MR-linac consortium. The Christie was the first hospital in the UK to offer both PBT and MRI-guided radiotherapy.  

Professor Handley has a strong background in clinical scientist training in the NHS and is currently leading training initiatives between the University of Manchester and The Christie that will contribute to a new Masters course in Cancer Biology and Radiotherapy Physics and HSST in Medical Physics. She has been an expert technical advisor on several Christie International projects.

Jonathan served 25 years as an Army Officer and worked in both the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Procurement Agency as a senior programme manager procuring defence equipment. He was also selected to attend the Army Staff College and obtained his MSc in Logistic Management at the Royal Military College of Science.  He did several operational tours overseas as part of the United Nations peace keeping operations and multinational coalitions. 

After retiring from the Army, he worked briefly as a commercial manager in a healthcare company before joining the NHS in 2008. He first worked as the programme implementation lead for a major reconfiguration of maternity services across Greater Manchester, as well as other major service transformation programmes. 

He joined the business development team at The Christie in December 2012 where he managed proton beam therapy (PBT) equipment procurement and established the programme implementation methodology and governance arrangements. He was subsequently appointed as programme manager for the Greater Manchester Cancer Vanguard initiative – this was a 2-year national programme looking at progressing innovations in cancer care.

Jonathan is now head of Christie International.

Sue has over 20 years’ experience managing complex and high-profile projects and international relationships. 

Starting her career in the international sports events sector and gaining experience on Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as Rugby and Netball World Cups, Sue then joined The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in 2015, after moving back home to Greater Manchester.

At The Christie, Sue spent her first 4 years in project management roles within the capital and business development teams. She supported the development of the proton beam therapy centre and Greater Manchester Cancer Vanguard projects. 

In 2017, Sue moved into The Christie International team. As international delivery manager, she has successfully delivered a variety of projects for overseas clients. Sue has worked to ensure the advice of Christie’s experts is understood by business managers, as well as clinical and technical specialists.

Sue is a graduate of Oxford University and holds a Prince 2 Practitioner in Project Management qualification.

The early part of Phil’s career was spent as a speech and language therapist, rehabilitation services manager and then children’s service manager working in a community NHS Trust. He also spent some time seconded to the NHS Executive (North West) developing professional networks for the Allied Health professions.

Phil joined The Christie as a senior project manager in 2005, working with the Trust on the development of the business cases, then procurement and construction of the 2 Christie radiotherapy centres in Oldham and Salford. He also had a similar involvement with the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) department and Haematology and Transplant Unit (HTU).  

After joining the proton beam therapy (PBT) core team in 2014, Phil worked as with the equipment vendors and contractor though the equipment procurement and selection process, the design of the building, the development of the contracts and the completion of the business case. He then represented the Trust and capital teams interest’s through the construction of the PBT building, the installation of the equipment and the completion of the project.

Zoe has over 25 years’ experience in both clinical and non-clinical NHS roles since qualifying as a therapy radiographer. Her career spans treatment and pre-treatment radiotherapy roles, Macmillan advanced clinical practice roles within patient information, support, and radiotherapy, quality and standards, and leadership roles at both service and directorate level.

Zoe has worked for The Christie NHS Foundation Trust since 2010 holding various positions during this time, all with a focus on patient safety, experience, and support.  

Since 2020, Zoe has worked in corporate positions within quality and standards, holding pivotal roles in the Trust’s coordination and incident response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Care Quality Commission activity.