Age Exchange is delighted to announce the appointment of Rebekah Adey as its new interim Chief Executive Officer.

Rebekah will be joining Age Exchange in late March, from her role as the Managing Director for Southern England for our parent charity, Community Integrated Care. In this position, she will lead Age Exchange throughout 2023, supported by our Senior Management Team of Artistic Director, David Savill, and Community Hub Manager, Gemma Catnott-Bell.

During her time as Managing Director at Community Integrated Care, Rebekah oversaw a diverse portfolio of services and led more than 500 colleagues to provide exceptional care and support to hundreds of people. Having worked in the social care sector for more than 25 years, and holding a master’s degree in human resources, she brings a wealth of experience to the role, as well as a life-long passion for arts and community engagement.

Rebekah’s appointment comes at an exciting time of progress and opportunity for Age Exchange. With the development of a new organisational strategy, several new commissions to deliver innovative projects - both regionally and nationally, and prestigious recognition by the National Diversity Awards, the charity is entering its 40th year with real momentum.

Speaking of the appointment, Rebekah said, “I am thrilled to be joining the team at Age Exchange. This charity has an incredible heritage of changing lives in so many ways. From bringing the community together and providing vital reminiscence arts services that the change of lives of local people, to making a national impact through pioneering creative cultural projects across the social care sector, this is a unique and special organisation.

“I can’t wait to work alongside the talented, dedicated team, as we look to build upon our outstanding reputation for intergenerational and reminiscence arts, further our local impact and connections, and grow to share our talents with new segments of the social care sector.”

Bridget Prentice, Chair of Age Exchange, said, “As we head towards our 40th year, we are entering a brilliant new chapter of our history. We are delighted to have appointed someone with such an exceptional career history and natural passion for our cause to help lead us, as we venture into this next phase of our journey.

Rebekah has displayed fantastic skills and leadership throughout her time at Community Integrated Care. Her appointment is being made at an exciting period, as we celebrate a number of significant commissions for our talented team in Greater London and across the UK, and are developing a new strategy aimed at enhancing our local and national impact. I am sure that our local community and partners will warmly welcome Rebekah to the Age Exchange family.”

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities for Community Integrated Care, said, “Age Exchange has a huge potential to bring arts, culture, creativity and social-connection into the lives of thousands of people who access social care nationally, whilst also furthering its local roots.”

“Rebekah’s expertise will be invaluable in supporting the team at Age Exchange to continue to provide impactful local services, whilst also being perfectly placed to design and deliver innovative programmes that change lives at scale. She will also play an important role in helping to develop the unique relationship between our two charities, which are united by a passion for enabling people to live the best life possible.”