Centre for Ageing Better appoints Professor Dame Carol Black as new chair

The Centre for Ageing Better has appointed Professor Dame Carol Black as its new Chair. She will take up the role from 1 May 2019. Dame Carol will provide leadership of the organisation, working closely with the Chief Executive to help Ageing Better achieves its vision of ensuring everyone in society enjoys a good later life. 
 
Dame Carol’s appointment follows a competitive recruitment process and heralds the beginning of an exciting period of growth at the charity. She currently holds several senior posts including Principal of Newnham College, Chair of the British Library and Chair of the Board at mental health charity Think Ahead. In addition, she is an expert adviser on health, care, welfare and employment practice to the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England. 
 
In 2015, The National Lottery Community Fund awarded an endowment of £50m to the Centre for Ageing Better. Last year, the Centre for Ageing Better unveiled its new strategy ‘Transforming Later Lives’, setting out ambitious goals in four priority areas to help those at risk of missing out on a good later life. The decision to focus on goals to improve health, housing, employment and communities was informed by the understanding built up in its first two years about which factors make a positive difference to people’s quality of life in older age.  

“It is fantastic to have Dame Carol join us as Chair and help ensure everyone in society enjoys the benefits of our longer lives. Her experience, expertise and gravitas will be a huge asset to us and I know she is absolutely committed to supporting us in delivering our bold vision. 
 
“We need major changes across our communities, in our workplaces, to our housing and our approach to healthy ageing if we are to make the most of the opportunity presented by our increasingly longer lives, especially for those at risk of missing out.” 

“We are living longer than ever before, but we need to take radical action if more of us are to enjoy those extra years. Too many people suffer in poor health, without access to decent care, live in unsuitable homes, in places that leave them feeling disconnected and lonely.  
 
“The Centre for Ageing Better has made great strides in identifying what needs to change. I’m thrilled to have joined such an innovative, impactful and evidence-led organisation at this crucial stage in its work to transform later life.”