Sucessor is being sought

Age Scotland’s chief executive has announced he is stepping down after 10 years at the helm.

Brian Sloan's leadership of Scotland’s national charity for older people is marked by a “significant improvement in the organisation’s impact and financial position which has helped deliver services, support and advice on a scale that has never been greater,” a statement read.

It added that throughout Covid-19 in particular, Sloan and the Age Scotland team supported tens of thousands of older people, their families and carers affected or isolated by the pandemic and increased the capacity of the charity’s national helpline and advice service to deal with unparalleled levels of demand at a time of crisis.

The charity’s board has asked Brian to remain in post for a further six months in order to maintain the organisation’s leadership while a successor is found.

Sloan said: “After 10 wonderful years with Age Scotland, I have decided it is the right time for me to leave the organisation. Age Scotland is in the best place it has ever been, representing and supporting the older people of Scotland in its broadest sense whilst being financially secure. 

“The future has never looked brighter for the organisation and every single colleague, both past and present, should be immensely proud of the part they have played during my ten-year journey. 

“It is imperative this transition for Age Scotland is handled with minimal disruption to the organisation. For that reason, the Age Scotland Board have asked me to stay on for six months to provide leadership while my successor is appointed and then to help ensure a smooth handover.

“Age Scotland is a fantastic organisation representing the most rapidly growing sector of our society who regrettably are undervalued, misrepresented and discriminated against despite contributing so much to Scotland.

“I will always support Age Scotland and know it will go from strength to strength and never lose sight of its responsibility to ensure the older people of Scotland are always empowered and their voices continued to be heard.”

Stuart Purdy, chair of Age Scotland added: “On behalf of the board and all of our team at Age Scotland, I thank Brian for his leadership, his commitment and the impact and results he and his team have delivered in support of older people.

“Brian’s leadership over the last ten years of his service sets him apart and he will be much missed by the whole team at Age Scotland and by our many supporters and partners.”