Derek Bodell has spent the past nine years as Chief Executive of the UK 's National AIDS Trust, which specialises in policy analysis, development and advocacy. Mr Bodell's role included strategic planning, representing NAT in the media, fundraising and operational management. He has been at the forefront of the campaign to persuade the UK government to provide resources to tackle the global pandemic and has played a leading role in the campaign to secure the UK 's support for developing HIV vaccines and microbicides.

Mr. Bodell led the creation of The Diana, Princess of Wales, Lecture on AIDS which has become recognised as a key platform AIDS. Recent lecturers include UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, former US President Bill Clinton and Justice Edwin Cameron.

Prior to his time at NAT Mr. Bodell was responsible for overseeing the development of HIV services in South London and Southern England . From 1988 he was responsible for key areas of development in the UK 's public education campaign. Before that, Mr. Bodell lived in New York, where he worked as a counselor with families affected by HIV in Bedford Stuyvestant, Brooklyn, and as a volunteer group leader for Gay Men's Health Crisis.

Mr. Bodell has acted as an advisor and contributor to European and global consultations on HIV and is currently the Vice Chair of the UK Government appointed Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV.