Alzheimer’s Society has announced Kate Lee, who is currently Chief Executive Officer at children and young people’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, will become the charity’s new CEO in April 2020.
Kate Lee has been CEO at CLIC Sargent for the past four years. Her proudest moments there have included successfully lobbying the Government to fund the funerals of all children under the age of 18; founding the Children and Young People’s Cancer Coalition, helping unite all charities working in this area to plan, share insight and lobby jointly; and winning a £15m partnership with Morrisons in 2017.
Kate oversaw the rebranding of CLIC Sargent, building a strong one team working culture, and won the Charity Times Charity Principal of the Year Award for her strong leadership style, her engaging use of social media and her fearless ability to make difficult decisions. She was recognised as one of Charity Times’ 25 Most Influential Leaders in the Voluntary Sector for her work on driving transparency and honesty across the sector.
Kate Lee joins Alzheimer’s Society at an exciting time in the charity’s history. The charity’s strong campaigning arm has played an instrumental part in putting dementia care top of the political agenda, influencing the Prime Minister to announce he would ‘fix social care, once and for all’ on the steps of No.10.
Alzheimer’s Society’s biggest ever social action movement Dementia Friends has now grown to over 3 million Dementia Friends and over 400 dementia-friendly communities, transforming the way people think, act and talk about the condition, and the charity’s Dementia Connect service is included within the NHS’s long-term plan.
On being appointed, Kate Lee said: “I am delighted, but also privileged, to have this incredible opportunity to lead the Alzheimer’s Society in its next chapter.”
“Having had first-hand experience of the devastation that a dementia diagnosis can have on a family along with the amazing professionalism, warmth and understanding the Alzheimer’s Society team of committed volunteers and staff bring to that heartbreak, growing the impact of this organisation is truly a dream job for me. I can’t wait to meet everyone and get stuck in!”
To find out more about Alzheimer’s Society, visit www.alzheimers.org.uk
