Tom Hughes-Hallett spent 22 years as an investment banker before becoming chief executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care in 2000, when his wife Juliet pointed out that he was enjoying his part-time charity job more than his day job. On his birthday he is having lunch with Sir Michael Parkinson, one of the charity’s supporters; meeting some fundraisers; and in the evening seeing “the newest NHS doctor in Hemel Hempstead, my son Dr Archie”. Tom Hughes-Hallett is 54 today. RGT

Other birthdays

Wyn Calvin, comedian and broadcaster, 81; Imogen Cooper, concert pianist, 59; Professor Wendy Davies, historian, 66; John Shirley-Quirk, bass-baritone, 77; Professor Roger Williams, Professor of Hepatology, London University, 77.