Age UK director general appointed as new MS Society chief executive

The MS Society is delighted to announce the appointment of Michelle Mitchell as its new chief executive from September.

Mitchell is an experienced leader and is currently charity director general at Age UK.

She has led high profile campaigns and driven policy change in a number of critical areas, including social care funding, which have resulted in fundamental improvements for those in later life.

She also led on core elements of the merger between Age Concern and Help the Aged and the brand launch to create Age UK.

Michelle previously worked for NSPCC and in Parliament and is currently a Trustee of Platform51 and the British Gas Energy Trust.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining an excellent team at the MS Society. I believe the charity’s inspirational work, from world-class research to practical information and support, is fundamental to improving the lives of people with multiple sclerosis.

“I am looking forward to working with staff and volunteers to build on the excellent achievements of the last 60 years.”

The MS Society is the leading charity for the 100,000 people living with multiple sclerosis in the UK.

The charity funds pioneering research and fights to improve treatment and care to help people with MS take control of their lives.

Hilary Sears, chairman of the MS Society, said: “Michelle has a successful track record as a leader and brings with her extensive experience in public affairs, strategy development and research and was part of the team that led the merger of Age Concern and Help the Aged and launched Age UK.

“The trustees and I are looking forward to working with her as the MS Society enters an exciting and dynamic phase of its development, creating a clear vision for the next 20 years to ensure we meet our bold ambition to stop MS in our lifetimes.”

The MS Society’s former chief executive, Simon Gillespie, left the charity in February to join the British Heart Foundation as CEO.

Patricia Gordon, the MS Society’s director for Northern Ireland, has been acting chief executive since then.