A charity leader who was made a CBE last year is leaving one chief executive role after 17 years to take up another in the independent sector.
Joanna Elson has been named as the new chief executive of £7.5m charity Independent Age, which supports older people facing financial hardship.
Elson will leave her current position as chief executive of Money Advice Trust, a debt advice charity, which she has led since 2006.
She starts her new role in September, replacing acting chief executive Stuart Rogers, who will return to his position as director of corporate services.
Elson said: “Living in financial hardship affects older people’s health, intensifies loneliness and reduces quality of life, so I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues and other charities to prevent and alleviate it.
“I am excited to remain focused on financial inclusion issues, working with Independent Age staff, volunteers and partners, to amplify the voices of older people facing financial hardship and ensure everyone can access the support they need in later life.”
Rogers became acting chief executive following the departure of Deborah Alsina, the charity’s last permanent chief executive, in January. Alsina is now the chief executive of Versus Arthritis.
Money Advice Trust’s chief operating officer David Cheadle will become acting chief executive upon Elson’s departure from the charity in September.
Cheadle will work alongside Jane Tully, the charity’s current director of external affairs and partnerships, who will become acting deputy chief executive.
Baroness Neuberger, chair of trustees at Independent Age, said: “Joanna is joining us with an exceptional track record in working with people struggling with their finances, which perfectly positions her to lead Independent Age as we move forward in our aim to improve the lives of older people in the UK living in financial hardship.”
Independent Age’s total income for the financial year ending December 2021 was £7.3m, down from £8.6m the year before.
Christine Farnish, incoming chair of the Money Advice Trust, said: “Thanks to Joanna’s leadership we can move forward confident that we can help even more people in future.
“This is important, as good debt advice has never been more crucial. We will start the recruitment process for a new chief executive shortly.”