22 April 2026
Huge boost for cancer research as construction of Sir Bobby Robson Institute underway in Newcastle
Innovative cancer research and treatment took a major leap forward this week with official start of construction of the £30m Sir Bobby Robson Institute at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, being delivered by main contractor Robertson Construction North East.
Image (L-R):
Dame Margaret Barbour, The Barbour Foundation; Neil Kennedy, Robertson Construction North East; Helen Barbour, The Barbour Foundation; Teri Bayliss, Newcastle Hospitals Charity; Andrew Robson, Lady Elsie Robson and Mark Robson; Sir Paul Ennals, Professor Ruth Plummer and Ashraf Azzabi, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Danny Humphrey, The Barbour Foundation; and Rob Harrison, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The institute will create a new home for cancer trials in the region, providing an increase in space and specialist facilities which will allow the expert teams who work there to carry out 50% more research.
As part of Newcastle Hospitals, the institute will support NHS patients from the North East, north Cumbria and North Yorkshire, many of whom could directly benefit from the trials conducted there.
Construction of the building is being financed by The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity. Thanks to the generosity of donors, supporters and fundraisers more than £26.5 million has been raised to support the project, including a £2 million donation from the Barbour Foundation.
Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: "As a trusted delivery partner, we are honoured to play our part in creating a cutting-edge facility to advance vital cancer research, benefit communities across the region and honour Sir Bobby Robson's legacy. Drawing on our extensive healthcare experience and strong local supply chain, we will work closely with the Trust and the Foundation to bring their shared vision to life."
Mark Robson, Sir Bobby’s son and chair of The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, said: “This is a momentous day and I can only imagine what my dad would be feeling if he was here. We’re so proud that his legacy in setting up the Foundation has brought us to this point and I know he’d be incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us.”
Professor Ruth Plummer, consultant medical oncologist at Newcastle Hospitals, said: “When Sir Bobby first set up his foundation it was initially to help us raise half a million to equip our current cancer drug trials unit.
“Since then, demand for cancer clinical trials has continued to increase both locally and internationally.
“We have the specialist expertise and experience in Newcastle to do even more trials and the new institute will make a huge difference in allowing us to provide more access for patients, giving people a chance to try an innovative treatment that could work for them while also being part of something bigger in terms of developing new cancer treatments.
“Quite simply, more research means we move forward with more options and better outcomes for patients, improving what we can provide now and in the future.”
Robertson was appointed through the ProCure23 framework and has been working with project partners since January 2025, providing pre-construction and design services from RIBA Stage 1 through to Stage 4 of technical design to help bring the Institute to life.
The three-storey Sir Bobby Robson Institute will bring together the current Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre and the hospital’s cancer and blood disorders (oncology and haematology) research teams.
Mark Robson continued: “Dad called the foundation his last and greatest team for good reason, and we welcome any support that people can give.”
For more information about The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation visit: www.sirbobbysgreatestteam.co.uk
