In 2010, Ponder became the first Director of the Cambridge Cancer Centre, part of a new Cancer Research UK network of Cancer Centres across the UK.  Under his leadership, in 2013 after review, Cambridge became one of only two Centres awarded ‘Major Centre’ status. Also in 2013, Ponder, as Head of Oncology, led the application through which the Cambridge Centre, linked with Addenbrookes Hospital, were awarded Comprehensive Cancer Centre status by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes. Addenbrooke's was the first general hospital in Europe to be recognised in this way. Ponder also led the application and early stages of formal review by the European Academy of Cancer Sciences,  through which, in 2017, the Cambridge Cancer Centre was one of only two Centres to be designated as a ‘European Centre of Excellence’.
