Mind CEO leaving to take top job at Age UK

Paul Farmer is stepping down as chief executive of Mind after 16 years to lead Age UK.

He leaves the mental health charity to take on the same role at Age UK in October.

Farmer, who is one of the UK's longest serving charity CEOs, said it will be a “huge wrench to leave an organisation that I care so deeply about, but I’m also a firm believer that there are times when a change of leader is important”.

He added: “It has been a huge honour to lead Mind and play a part in changing the conversations around mental health, securing significant changes for mental health and leading the Mind federation to new heights.

“Of course, there is much still to do to ensure that everybody with a mental health problem gets both the support and respect they are absolutely entitled to, and I will continue to be a massive supporter of the work Mind does.”

Personal news-after 16 years, I'll be leaving the amazing @MindCharity to become the CEO at @age_uk. It's been an incredible honour to lead this organisation and a huge wrench to go. My thanks to all who have worked with me. https://t.co/yZv2genKwV
— Paul Farmer (@paulfarmermind) June 13, 2022

Mind’s Chair Stevie Spring added: “Paul has been an outstanding leader, a passionate champion for people with mental health problems, an agent of positive change and a pleasure to work alongside. We will miss him.

“I want to a say a big thank you on behalf of the charity and all our beneficiaries for all he has done around mental health. Age UK is lucky to have him.”

Mind’s search to replace Farmer has already begun.

Toby Strauss, chair of older people’s charity Age UK said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Paul as our new CEO later in the year.

“Paul brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise about mental health from his impressive tenure at Mind and his previous management roles at Rethink and Samaritans, and about the charity sector more generally.

“Paul’s commitment to the needs of older people makes him well placed to lead Age UK through the next stages of our journey, at a time when they have never been more pressing.”