Professor Tom Crosby OBE

17 September 2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Professor Tom Crosby OBE, a much-loved colleague and highly respected Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Velindre Cancer Service.

A renowned specialist in upper gastrointestinal cancer, Tom made an exceptional contribution to cancer care in Wales and across the UK. He played a leading role in the Wales Cancer Network and as the National Cancer Clinical Director, led on the development of national cancer delivery and improvement plans, the Single Cancer Pathway, and a key role in the transformation of oncology services in South East Wales.

Widely recognised for his leadership in upper GI and esophago-gastric cancer research, service improvement and clinical practice, Tom was Chief Investigator on the UK multi-centre SCOPE trial and subsequent SCOPE series and co-lead of the national oesophago-gastric cancer audit (NOGCA). He also helped to set up the UKIOG, a multiprofessional oesophago-gastric group in the UK and Ireland.

He helped to establish and develop the Cardiff FRCR Course for Clinical Oncology which is now globally recognised. He will be remembered not only for his clinical expertise and dedication to improving outcomes for people affected by cancer, but also for the warmth, kindness and compassion he brought to his work and those around him.

Tom’s dedication to improving outcomes for people affected by cancer extended beyond his clinical and leadership roles. He was also a tireless supporter of Velindre Charity, giving his time, energy and personal commitment to multiple bike rides and fundraising activities in support of the patients, families and services he cared so deeply about.

Tom’s contribution was recognised through the award of an honorary professorship by Cardiff University and an OBE for services to cancer services in Wales and the UK in 2019.

This is profoundly sad news for the organisation. Our thoughts are with Tom’s family, friends, colleagues, patients, co-fundraisers and all those who knew and worked alongside him. We know that his passing will be deeply felt.

Velindre University NHS Trust Chief Executive Officer Carl James said:

“Tom was an inspirational leader, a much-valued colleague and friend. His contribution to cancer services in Wales was truly exceptional. Through his national leadership, his work to improve cancer pathways, and his commitment to transforming services for patients, he helped shape cancer care not only for Velindre, but for people and families across Wales and beyond. He brought clarity, ambition and humanity to some of the most important developments in cancer services, and his legacy will be felt for many years to come. On behalf of the Trust, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Tom’s family, friends, colleagues and all those who knew and loved him.”

Jaz Abraham, Velindre University NHS Trust's Medical Director said:

“Tom was an outstanding clinician, leader, colleague and friend, whose compassion and commitment to patients sat at the heart of everything he did. Those who worked alongside him will remember his generosity, his warmth, and the care he showed to colleagues as much as to patients and families. He was deeply respected across our service and across the wider cancer community, and his loss will be felt profoundly by many people. We are incredibly grateful for all that Tom gave to Velindre and to cancer care across the whole of Wales and the UK and beyond. Our thoughts are with his family, and everyone affected by this very sad news.”

Thank you Tom. Diolch Tom.