Alzheimer's Society has appointed CLIC Sargent's Kate Lee as its new chief executive, with effect from April 2020.

Lee has been the chief executive at CLIC Sargent for four years, where she oversaw the charity's re-brand, successfully campaigned for the government to fund the funerals of all children under the age of 18 and won a £15m partnership with Morrisons.

This year, she won the Charity Principal of the Year Award at the Charity Times Awards 2019 and was featured among the Charity Times 25 Most Influential Charity Leaders list for her work on driving transparency and honesty across the sector.

In recent years, CLIC Sargent has become well-known among the sector for its annual 'impact and accountability report', which puts honesty at the forefront and exemplifies a uniquely transparent approach to sharing the charity's results and failures.

Prior to CLIC Sargent, Lee was CEO of Myton Hospice, a large adult palliative care charity in Coventry and Warwickshire, where she worked with many individuals with dementia and their families in that setting.

Before that, Lee spent 16 years at British Red Cross leading UK service delivery, before becoming director of UK and international strategy and deputy CEO in 2005.

Lee will take on the role from AS existing CEO, Jeremy Hughes, who announced his departure in the Autumn.

"I am proud to be passing the reins to Kate. Having worked with her before, I can think of no one better to take up leading Alzheimer’s Society’s determination to make life better for people affected by dementia, today and tomorrow," Hughes said.

Commenting on her appointment, Lee added: "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!"

Lee's mother was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2006 and has lived independently until recently with the support of Alzheimer’s Society and many others.

She will take on the role from April 2020.

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