Career
In 2009 she joined Cancer Research United Kingdom as Executive Director of Policy & Public Affairs. in 2013 she became chief executive of the Association of Medical Research Charities. Burnand worked as head of international media relations for Rhône-Poulenc in Paris, then as a director at the Rowland Company, a London-based public affairs consultancy. She joined the United Kingdom BioIndustry Association as its first Director of Public Affairs in 1998, when the United Kingdom biotechnology industry was in its infancy.
The Association now represents more than three hundred United Kingdom biotech companies.
In 2001 Burnand became Deputy Chief Executive, and from 2003 until December 2009 she was Chief Executive. She was succeeded by Nigel Gaymond.
At the BIA, Burnand lobbied on behalf of stem cell research, and supported the passage of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Acting 2005, which gives greater protection for medical researchers from animal rights extremists and other threats. She also had to reassure the public about medicines based on monoclonal antibodies when six volunteers suffered severse adverse reactions during a clinical trial at Northwick Park Hospital in 2006.
In 2007 she was awarded an Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to science.
She joined Cancer Research United Kingdom in 2009. As Executive Director of Policy & Public Affairs, she has responsibility for the charity"s policies on cancer, science and charity issues, seeking along with others to influence politicians and civil servants on issues of importance to cancer patients.
