Kate Lee has announced that she will step down as chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society after five years in post.
Lee said leaving the charity was “not a decision I’ve taken lightly” but that “now feels like the right time to step aside”.
The charity has appointed a recruitment search agency to find Lee’s replacement.
Culture change
Lee joined the dementia charity from Young Lives Vs Cancer (then known as CLIC Sargent) in March 2020, as the first UK lockdowns to limit the spread of Covid-19 began.
She began her role a month early as the Charity Commission investigated a complaint about the charity’s handling of bullying and harassment allegations and its use of confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements.
The regulator found no wrongdoing at Alzheimer’s Society but the charity committed to increasing its transparency as a result.
Speaking to Civil Society in 2023, Lee said the charity’s reputation as an employer had improved after having a “public image of not having a great culture” when she joined.
Last year, Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) cleared the charity after receiving complaints about its controversial Long Goodbye broadcast campaign.
In response to the criticism, Lee said at the time: “It’s really hard for me to hear from those who think we haven’t taken the right approach here.
“But if we’re really going to change what a dementia diagnosis means for so many people, I need us to step outside of what we’ve always done.”
During her time at Alzheimer’s Society, its income grew from £114m in the year to March 2020 to £131m in 2023-24.
Its expenditure dipped to £87.1m during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-21 but had grown since to £138m in 2023-24.
‘Proud of how far we’ve come’
Lee said: “I’m so proud of how far we’ve come in the last five years. When I arrived back in March 2020, no one could see what people with dementia were set to face.
“We advocated tirelessly for people with dementia, and those who love and care for them, throughout the pandemic. That period tested the organisation to its core, and I take great pride in the work we delivered.”
Lee plans to take some time to consider what her next move will be.
Alzheimer’s Society chair Suzi Leather said: “Kate has successfully led Alzheimer’s Society for five years.
“In that time, she has made an enduring contribution to the organisation and to the world of dementia.
“I’ve enjoyed working with her enormously and the board and I want to thank her for the leadership she’s provided from leading through the pandemic to transforming it to an organisation that is leading the way for people with dementia, now and for the future.”
She added: “Kate will help to ensure a smooth transition to our new leadership so that our important work to ensure dementia no longer devastates lives continues.”
Related articles
