Lara has thirty years of experience in leading highly successful teams across fundraising, philanthropy and not-for-profit marketing in prestigious UK institutions. For 12 years, she was Director of Development for The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR) where she increased annual income more than threefold during her tenure. Prior to the ICR, Lara was Director of Development at the British Library and before that, she held a senior fundraising position at the Royal Opera House. She has a strong personal track record of raising seven-figure plus gifts. Today, Lara works as an advisor and consultant on fundraising strategy to a range of clients in medical research, education, and arts and heritage. She is Chair of Ashford School Foundation and a trustee of Nurse Lifeline, a start-up health charity.