AGE UK WIGAN BOROUGH ENTERPRISES - Key Persons
Alison joined Age UK in August 2022 as CEO for Age International, Age UK's international charity which focuses on the needs and rights of older people in some of the world's poorest countries. In her role, Alison sits on the Age UK senior leadership team.
With over 25 years' experience in international development, Alison brings to Age International and Age UK strong leadership skills across a wide range of areas, including communications, campaigning, governance, advocacy, fundraising, programme oversight, and strategy.
Alison was previously the Managing Director of Sense International, who work for and with people with deafblindness and multi-sensory impairment. She's held senior roles at several international non-governmental organisations, including the International Planned Parenthood Federation, UNICEF UK, and CAFOD.
Alison currently sits on the BBC Charity Appeals Advisory Committee, the International Disability and Development Coalition, and is a Trustee of the Fairtrade Foundation. In her role as Age International, CEO, Alison also sits on the Board of Trustees of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
Alison joined Age International and the Age UK leadership team because she wants to champion the cause of older people, at a time when world events make this work more important than ever.
Ann joined the Age UK Board in July 2022.
Ann spent over two decades working for the UK government in the UK and overseas, including several posts with diplomatic status and Senior Civil Service roles. Her extensive career in international development included posts in Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Caribbean, Belgium, USA and the UK. She is currently Senior Fellow with the NGO Women in Global Health. Ann has been CEO of two global health NGOs, was Head of Gender Equality for the UK Government and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative in Pakistan. Ann has also been a member of the BBC Appeals Advisory Committee and has served on several charity boards.
Between 2008 and 2012 Ann was CEO of the International Diabetes Federation and in 2009 founded the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance. Ann's vision was to convene a new global NCD civil society movement to confront the misconceptions about NCDs and catalyse political action and as Chair of the Alliance she led the successful campaign for the 2011 UN High Level Summit on NCDs.
Ann is Chair of the Age International Board.
Anthony joined Age UK in November 2021 as CEO for Age Co. Age Co is 100% owned by Age UK and provides products and services designed to help people make the most of later life, with the profits returned to the charity to help fund its important work.
Anthony has spent over 25 years in the private sector holding senior leadership roles within The Ardonagh Group, Aviva, RAC, and prior to joining Age UK, was Chief Distribution Officer at Co-op Insurance.
Anthony is passionate about meeting the needs of customers and delivering great customer experiences. Working at Age UK offers a unique opportunity to use his commercial and marketing knowhow to deliver solutions that not only enable older consumers to live confidently, independently and well, but that also generate sustainable income for the charity so it can support older people at need.
'I have worked within the voluntary sector for over 30 years gaining MSc in Management in 2003. Prior to 2009, I supported individuals and communities affected by drug and alcohol problems. This included residential, community and criminal justice service. Between 2009 and 2017 Bernadette was the CEO for Age UK Tameside and worked in collaboration with other Greater Manchester Chief Officers to develop and sustain services for older adults. In 2017 Bernadette became self-employed and completed several interim CEO appointments across the country. Bernadette is committed to providing high quality and reliable services for older people. She enjoys the outdoors e.g., camping walking. Most recently she has been ‘appointed' chief cook for Heyside Cricket Team and enjoys nothing more than a sunny afternoon ‘at the cricket'.'
'I joined AUKWB in June 2005 - I had never worked for a Charity before joining AUKWB although I had done some voluntary work, as my Mum also volunteered for a local Age Concern - so consequently this lead me to apply for a job within the Charity sector and I was lucky enough to be appointed as Finance Manager by Stuart Murray who was the Chief Officer at the time. My working background was mainly working for multi-national companies such as L'Oreal., Ingersoll-Rand (both in the UK and Switzerland)., Esselte-Letraset and Marley Tiles - all these were Finance based roles. I enjoy my role because of the variety - as I can be dealing with the day to day finances of the organisation from petty cash all the way up to helping set the budget for the coming year. Also the main reason I decided to join the Charity sector was to help make a difference to people's lives and I feel we do this at AUKWB.'
'I joined Age UK Wigan Borough in 2001 after I had retired after 43 years in the Civil Service. It was an opportunity to not only keep my brain functioning but more importantly to have a small part in helping the older people of Wigan Borough.'
'I have spent majority of my working career in the Northwest and most of this has been either in one of the Greater Manchester local authorities or regional social housing providers in various commissioning and senior leadership role. I joined Age UK Wigan Borough at the end of September 2021, I was really pleased to join a well-respected local charity, championing services, and meeting the needs of those local people aged 50 and over and working with a dedicated team of staff and volunteers committed to delivering quality services.'
Caroline joined Age UK in 2012.
A social scientist and barrister, Caroline has spent her career in the voluntary and public sectors, mostly on children and families' issues. She has worked in a senior capacity at the children's charity, Action For Children and at the Local Government Association. Caroline has also been a policy adviser to Ministers and Shadow Ministers, and a senior civil servant. A former chair of the End Child Poverty campaign, Caroline's policy interests include integrated health and care, family policy, poverty and the role of the voluntary sector.
Caroline oversees Age UK's influencing work and her team covers research, public policy, health influencing, media, campaigns and engagement and public affairs. She is also the Charity's lead spokesperson.
Caroline decided to work for Age UK because she could see that there was a lot to do to change policy and practice so older people are served well, and because she passionately believes that Age UK can make a big difference.
Job Titles:
- Group Chief Executive for Age UK North Tyneside
- Non - Executive Director and Co - Deputy Chair of the Age England Association
Dawn has worked within the Age UK network for 25 years and is passionate about making more of later life.
Dawn started her career in accountancy with Grant Thornton where she quickly became the in-house charity expert which led to her being headhunted to work for one of her charity clients, she has now worked in various charity sector roles for over 29 years.
Dawn is currently the Group Chief Executive for Age UK North Tyneside where she provides leadership to the Group which includes the charity Age UK North Tyneside and its two subsidiary companies specialising in care and housing. She represents older people as a member of the North Tyneside Cabinet, North Tyneside Health & Wellbeing Board, North Tyneside Ageing Well Board and North Tyneside Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Board.
Dawn is a Non-Executive Director and Co-Deputy Chair of the Age England Association, previously North-East Representative, and Non-Executive Director for EveryDay Homes.
Dawn believes that "Together Everyone Achieves More" and with the right support and training anyone can achieve anything. Age UK North Tyneside has been recognised for its achievements, nationally, regionally and locally, particularly during Covid-19, and most recently winning the North East Registered Home Care Manager Award at the Great British Care Awards.
Donna has worked at Age UK since we launched and she became our People Director in 2022.
In 2003, Donna joined as Senior HR Advisor at Age Concern Enterprises, the commercial subsidiary of one of our legacy organisations, Age Concern England. She has subsequently held a wide range of HR leadership roles within Age UK and now leads our People division which covers employee relations; pay, pensions and benefits; talent development and wellbeing; culture; equality, diversity and inclusion; safeguarding; and recruitment.
Donna is passionate about her team's role in ensuring that Age UK is a great place to work, where our people feel safe, valued, rewarded and connected to our cause.
Donna is really driven by bringing about change for older people and can see that Age UK's services are vital for many lonely and isolated older people today, especially in our post-pandemic UK.
'I joined Age UK Wigan Borough in June 2022 as Bright Days Team Leader. I am a qualified trainer and assessor in adult learning so providing an activity programme that helps to reduce social isolation and loneliness in older people suits my skills well. I enjoy listening to older people and providing groups that they want across the Wigan Borough. I find my role rewarding as I make a positive impact on people's lives. I love meeting people and having a chat over a brew and a biscuit or two!'
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Trustee of Shape Arts
Jackie joined the board of Age UK in May 2021 and is the Chair of the Strategic Finance Committee.
Jackie is a Chartered Accountant bringing over 30 years commercial and third sector experience having worked in the retail, hospitality and not for profit sectors. She was formerly the Finance Director of PizzaExpress and her last senior appointment was as Executive Director of Corporate Services for the charity Marie Curie.
Jackie is also a trustee of Shape Arts and The Roundhouse Trust and chairs their Finance & HR committee and Business, Audit and Risk committee respectively.
I received my title in 1999 on the elevation to the peerage of her late husband [Lord Peter Smith]. On retirement from teaching, I worked part-time for the local MP, Andy Burnham, in the Constituency Office as a volunteer, then as an assistant caseworker, until 2016. I was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester in 2008 and was installed as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester for 2016/17.
Job Titles:
- Publicity and Fundraising Manager
'I Joined Age UK Wigan Borough in June 2022 as a Publicity and Fundraising Manager. Before joining the team, I was working in retail management alongside studying at University. I focussed my dissertation on how social media affects the charity sector which gave me an insight into the impact digital marketing can have on a Non-Profit organisation. I enjoy using my skills to raise Age UK Wigan Borough public profile so more people can benefit from the excellent services.'
Job Titles:
- Fundraising and Engagement
Laurie joined Age UK in 2010.
Laurie has spent her career in fundraising and marketing roles at various charities, covering a range of issues including female cancers, disability, and social isolation and exclusion. She is also a Trustee at The Running Charity and a Board member of the Institute of Fundraising National Convention.
Laurie has steered several multi-million fundraising teams and has largely specialised in developing high-value partnerships with a diverse range of UK and global businesses. She is especially passionate about working with positive brands to deliver charitable objectives. She is also a firm believer in leading from the front and participates in at least one Fundraising event every year; usually the Great North Run.
Laurie's interest in older people began from an early age, when she would accompany her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on weekly visits to lonely older people in the local community. Now in her dream job at Age UK, she has a vision for the fundraising team to not only raise vital funds, but to influence public perception and passion for older people.
Job Titles:
- Macmillan in 2001 As Head of Media and Campaigns and Deputy Director Communications
Lynda joined Age UK as a Trustee in 2023.
Most recently, Lynda was CEO of Macmillan Cancer Support, stepping down from the role in 2022. Lynda joined Macmillan in 2001 as Head of Media and Campaigns and Deputy Director Communications. In 2011 she became Head of Fundraising and then became interim Chief Executive in November 2014 before being appointed to the role permanently the following year.
Lynda hasn't taken on a new permanent role, choosing instead to focus on her non-executive career, including being Chair of the Norfolk Community Health & Care Trust and continuing to serve as an independent member on the Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Board.
Prior to her role at Macmillan, Lynda also worked for the NSPCC and Action for Children.
As CEO of Home Instead UK and International, Martin Jones MBE is responsible for leading Home Instead's operations across its 10 international markets and the UK. Home Instead is the world's largest provider of home care services, delivering over 10 million hours of care in the UK across its 246 locations.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Chairman of the Age UK Trading CIC
- Director of Finance and Performance at RBLI
Mike Dixon has been a trustee of Age UK since October 2017. Mike is the Chair of the Age UK Trading CIC. A chartered accountant, he brings to the Board considerable commercial and charity experience as a focus on strong financial governance.
Mike is currently Director of Finance and Performance at RBLI. Over the last thirty years he has held senior financial and leadership positions with blue chip organisations in both the commercial and not for profit sectors, at PWC, HSBC and most recently as the Finance and Operations Director of the Charities Aid Foundation. Mike has significant not-for-profit governance experience, having been a trustee of With You (formerly Addaction) and Future Care Capital and a non-executive director of Surrey Community Health.
Nick joined Age UK's Board of Trustees in September 2022.
His experience within the brand and marketing group WPP as a NED and Senior Adviser includes brand, marketing and communications challenges and change, across complex stakeholder landscapes global and regional, with clients including Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Unilever, Kraft, Kellogg, Citibank, LG Electronics, Jaguar Motor Cars, Mattel, Special Olympics - and Mecca Bingo. For the last ten years, he has been working as a Global Brand Director.
Nick recently concluded six years as a Trustee for the UK health and social care charity founded on addressing alcohol and drug addiction, Change Grow Live, where he chaired the Brand and Business Development Committee, oversaw change management and led the team to recruit the current Chair and new Trustees. He is currently a Senior Adviser for Quadrant Strategies, a global consultancy based in Washington DC.
In a world often driven by a cult of the young, he is passionate about the deep value older people bring to society.
'Before I joined Age UK Wigan Borough in June 2020 as a central services administrator, I worked for over 30 years mostly in the building trade as an administrator. I am now a Support at Home Team Leader and enjoy working in my team to make a difference by helping people in their own homes across the Borough.'
Job Titles:
- Services for Older People Award 2022
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Commissioner at Historic England
Paul joined Age UK as our CEO in October 2022.
Before joining Age UK, Paul was Chief Executive Officer of Mind, the leading mental health charity working in England and Wales, a position he had held since 2006.
Paul is a Commissioner at Historic England and a Non-Executive Director for NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board. He is a member of the NHS Assembly.
Paul co-authored 'Thriving at Work' for the Government, which led to significant changes in workplace mental health, and co-chaired the 5 Year Forward View for Mental Health, leading to additional funding for NHS mental health services.
He has an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of East London. He is an Honorary Fellow of St Peter's College, Oxford and The Royal College of Psychiatrists. In 2016, Paul was awarded a CBE in the New Year's Honours list for services to mental health.
Paul has seen first-hand both the best and the worst of the ways that older people are treated in our society and wants to play his part in changing the experiences of older people.
Preeti joined the Board of Trustees in September 2022.
She believes in the increasing need for equity and inclusion for all in society and the power that technology can play in providing equal opportunities in society.
Preeti is a qualified accountant, coach and mentor with over two decades of global experience in risk, internal audit and governance across various industries and geographies, and is currently the Global Head of Internal Audit at Vodafone. Her extensive experience provides a deep understanding of the risks and governance requirements across sectors. She is passionate about the opportunities to use technology in achieving our vision and purpose.
She has been inspired to leverage her experience and skills from the private sector into the social sector and is a trustee of Brandon Trust (UK), a charity focused on supporting people with learning disabilities, as well as the Vodafone Foundation in Egypt - where the focus is on expanding the reach of education through digital channels.
She was drawn to Age UK's vision of a world where everyone can love later life - which is congruent to her hope of a future world that is inclusive, respectful and sustainable.
'My career has always been in financial services, the last 15 years of which has been in leadership roles leading teams across various disciplines (such as Mortgages, Financial Planning, Branches and Operations teams). Since 2013, I have worked for Nationwide Building Society and, in recent years, have chaired the North West Community Board which awards grants to local charities supporting all things to do with the home. I enjoy being on Age UK Wigan Boroughs Board of trustees because firstly, I think the services that we provide are outstanding and make a genuine difference to the lives of those who use the services. Secondly, being a Trustee involves gaining a broad understanding of all aspects of the organisation … so is great for expanding your own horizons and developing skills & knowledge to enable appropriate decisions to be made. Finally, it's an opportunity to work with like minded people and make a contribution to the lives of local people.'
'Before joining Age UK Wigan Borough in July 2022, I worked as a Senior Manager at BT and Chair for both Wrightington Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospital and Belong Care Villages. Age UK Wigan Borough is a great team to work with, I feel the work we do makes a real positive impact on our customers and it's fun.'
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive of Healthinnova
Roy joined Age UK as a Trustee in 2020.
Roy has spent the last two decades focused on digital transformation in healthcare across Europe, North America and Asia. His interest lies is in the collaboration of government, academia, charities and providers in the adoption of innovative technologies in health and care settings.
Roy's past experience includes leadership roles in GE Healthcare, Microsoft, the World Health Organisation, Epic and Telstra.
Roy is the Chief Executive of Healthinnova, a global healthcare consultancy. He is a Trustee of Age UK Bath and North East Somerset and chairs their Finance and Audit Committee. He is also a Governor of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and NExT Director at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
He holds degrees in mathematics, computer science, health economics and international health policy.
'I worked for Age UK as a Northwest Regional Adviser for five years from 2008 - 2013 and in this time got to know Age UK Wigan Borough. When I left Age UK, I did some consultancy work for the organisation and joined the team formally as Central Services Manager in 2015. The role is very varied, and I have a wide range of responsibilities which means I am always busy. I am proud to be part of the Age UK movement and support the services that we provide to older people in Wigan Borough.'
Job Titles:
- Board Member and Chair of the Operations Committee of the CHS Group ( Housing Association
- Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge
Sharon became a trustee of Age UK in September 2017.
Sharon brings to the role over 30 years' experience of working in the voluntary, social care and supported housing sectors.
Sharon is chief executive officer of Cambridge-based Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. She was previously chief executive officer of Skills for Care, the charity that works with social care employers and other partners to create a well-led, skilled and person centred workforce and is the delivery partner of the Department of Health and Social Care.
A qualified social worker and housing professional, Sharon is also board member and chair of the Operations Committee of the CHS Group (housing association) in Cambridge.
Sharon has held a wide range of non-executive roles across the voluntary and housing sectors, including being vice-chair of ACEVO, the network for charity leaders, and a Trustee of a number of charitable organisations and housing associations.
Sharon was awarded an OBE in June 2015 for services to social care, homeless people and housing.
Toby joined Age UK as Chair of the Board in January 2022.
Toby was the Chair of Brewin Dolphin, a wealth management firm, from February 2021 to September 2022. He served as a Trustee of Macmillan from 2013 - 2022, during which time he supported the organisation to drive significant change as it evolved its services to be ever more effective for people affected by cancer, particularly people in groups that are seldom heard. Toby also served as a non-executive director on the board of Legal & General until April 2022.
Toby has had a varied career that included digital transformation, technology, strategic consulting - including at McKinsey - and wealth management. Most recently, before shifting to a non-executive and charitable focus in his career, Toby was Group Director for Insurance and CEO of Scottish Widows, part of the Lloyds Banking Group, and UK Life CEO at Aviva.
Tracey is our Deputy CEO and has worked for Age UK since 2011.
Coming from a commercial, Financial Conduct Authority, and human resources (HR) background, Tracey has held senior HR roles for both Thomas Cook and Barclays.
Tracey had a number of HR roles at Age UK before becoming our Director of People and Performance in 2017. In 2018, Tracey broadened her role and revisited her commercial experience, taking responsibility for our retail operation.
Tracey was Age UK's Interim CEO from December 2021 until October 2022 and became our Deputy CEO in November 2022. Tracey leads on the delivery of our national services, including our Advice Line, Silver Line Helpline, and telephone friendship service, as well as the support we are proud to offer our local and national partners across the Age UK network. She continues to have executive responsibility for our retail network of over 250 charity shops and over 3,000 shop volunteers.
Tracey was inspired to join an organisation where she could use her skills and experience to engage, develop and support excellent people, while at the same time balancing the needs of a charity with those of an organisation that has to survive in today's world. Supporting her elderly mum and seeing the challenges people face in later life made Age UK an excellent fit for Tracey's skills and expertise.
Vicki joined Age UK in 2019.
Vicki started her accountancy career in private practice and has held management roles in national and international private equity, public benefit and charitable organisations. Most recently she worked at Royal Mencap Society overseeing finance, procurement and payroll, as well as deputising for the CFO.
At Age UK Vicki is responsible for finance, procurement, risk, legal, IT and data.
Following an undergraduate degree in theology and philosophy and a stint as an artist, Vicki worked in Kenya which led to co-founding an educational charity for disadvantaged children in East Africa and the start of her interest in the voluntary sector. She has been actively engaged as an employee, volunteer or trustee ever since.
Vicki is an advocate of empowerment, collaboration and inclusion in the workplace and in society. She therefore feels she has found a good fit in working at Age UK to support vulnerable older people to have their voices heard and be respected as valued members of our communities.