(l-r) Comedian Suzi Ruffell, award winner Dee Mathieson and Interim Dean Debbie Keeling

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dee Mathieson with her UK Elekta team

Dee Mathieson, Managing Director of Elekta, has won the Lifetime Achievement category, sponsored by the Business School, at The Dynamic Awards.

This annual event, hosted by comedian and TV star, Suzi Ruffell was held by Platinum Media Group, taking place at The Grand Hotel, Brighton on 30 April, showcasing and celebrating unique and talented businesswomen from across Sussex.

Dee has dedicated her life to improving the quality of cancer care for patients across the globe. Her interest in cancer care treatments began 45 years ago, when she trained and worked as a therapeutic radiographer at Guy’s Hospital. She graduated with a degree in Physics at London Southbank University, before joining the Elekta family in 1987.

Elekta’s mission is to work towards a world where everyone can access the best cancer care, regardless of income. By developing innovative radiotherapy solutions, and making them readily available to healthcare providers, they can tackle the global shortage of radiotherapy equipment and radiographers, closing the gap between high and low-income countries who need access to cancer treatment.

She embarked on her longstanding career with Elekta as a Customer Training Engineer and has since held many senior positions with the company, including Director of Product Management, SVP Oncology Business Line Management, SVP & Head of Product Quality and Service. She started her most recent role as Managing Director in 2022, becoming the first female Managing Director of Elekta Ltd in the UK.

Professor Debbie Keeling, Interim Dean of the Business School, who presented Dee with her award, said:

"Through 45 years of unwavering commitment, Dee Mathieson has tirelessly revolutionised cancer patient care on a global scale. Her profound impact makes her an indisputable choice for this year's Lifetime Achievement Award. Celebrating resilient and trailblazing female leaders like her fills us with pride.”

Dee’s mission has been to raise the profile of radiography as a profession, working with schools and higher education institutions to develop career learning events, teaching therapeutic radiography education to students. She also works closely with communities and wider healthcare systems to improve the accessibility of high-level expert care for cancer patients. Her work in this area has been vital to the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR).

Charlotte Beardmore, Executive Director of Professional Policy at the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR), commented:

“Dee Matheson is a wonderful ambassador for the radiography profession, driving collaborations to showcase and promote careers in science and radiography, both at the national level and more recently in local schools. There’s no doubt that Dee’s commitment and dedication has tangibly impacted patient care and is helping to safeguard the future of our essential profession.”

Dee is Chairwoman of the Gatwick Diamond Business (GDB) group, and volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors for the Mary How Trust, a charity providing healthcare screenings to spot the early signs of cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Lynda Vowles, CEO of the Mary How Trust added:

“Dee is nothing short of an inspirational lady. Her dedication to the Mary How Trust, where she devotes her time as a volunteer, is a testament to her compassionate nature and commitment to our mission of detecting and preventing the early onset of cancer and other life­ limiting conditions. Beyond her role as a trustee, Dee has gone above and beyond the call of duty, actively engaging in initiatives that amplify our impact on the community. Her contributions extend far beyond her official responsibilities, showcasing a genuine passion for our cause.”

Dee also spends her time mentoring others in the workplace, helping to support and promote junior staff, both through her charity work, and in her personal life. Her natural ability to lead and inspire others is truly remarkable, and she will no doubt continue to create a positive impact in the world of cancer treatment for many years to come.

On winning this prestigious award, Dee Mathieson said:

“To win this prestigious award recognising my achievements and the impact I have been able to make, is a source of great pride. I am so lucky to have had a career doing something that I feel so passionate about and enjoy so much.”