Robert (Bob) Grieve was born in Rugby and studied medicine at the University of Birmingham.[1][2] Shortly after qualifying, he gained an internship with the Cancer Research Campaign, during which he led and managed the day-to-day running of the UK's first major trial of adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.[1][2] More than 1,100 patients from 26 hospitals in the West Midlands were enrolled in this multicentre study.[1][2] The study confirmed the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy and helped establish this treatment as part of curative care for lymph node-positive breast cancer.[1] After completing specialist training at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, he was appointed as a third consultant oncologist at Walsgrave (University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire), where he worked with the peripheral clinic in Rugby.[1][2] During his career he was involved in the development of radiotherapy and oncology services and in fundraising to improve facilities and care in the region.[1][2]