Chief Executive for Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly

Inspiring people and communities to age and live well in later life 

About Us

Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead one of Cornwall’s most respected charities into its next chapter.

For more than 50 years, we have worked alongside older people across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, helping people to remain independent, connected and able to enjoy later life with dignity, purpose and confidence.

Today, we support more than 150,000 people each year through services spanning information and advice, transport, hospital and home support, community wellbeing, social connection and initiatives delivered in partnership with health, care and voluntary sector organisations.

Following the planned retirement of our Chief Executive in March 2027, we are looking for an inspiring, collaborative and values-led leader to build on strong foundations and help shape our future.

The Opportunity

Our next Chief Executive will inherit a financially stable organisation with an excellent reputation, committed colleagues and volunteers, strong governance and significant reach across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

But this is also a role with considerable opportunity ahead.

Cornwall has an ageing population and the environment in which health, care and voluntary organisations operate continues to change. We want Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly to be at the forefront of that change – not simply responding to need, but helping to shape how people experience later life across our communities.

You will work with our Board, colleagues, volunteers and partners to develop our strategy, strengthen and diversify our income, continue to evolve our services and increase our influence across the wider health and care system.

You will also build strong relationships across the Age UK network, ensuring that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly contributes to and benefits from national learning, policy, collaboration and opportunities.

The Leader We Are Seeking

We are looking for a leader who combines strategic vision with the credibility to guide a complex, service‑delivery organisation.

You will empower people to thrive, build leadership capacity and unite colleagues, volunteers and partners behind a shared purpose. You will be comfortable operating beyond organisational boundaries and developing influential relationships across health and social care, local government, commissioners, funders, businesses, communities and the wider voluntary sector.

Commercial awareness and financial acumen will be essential. You will understand what it takes to lead a sustainable organisation, diversify income and demonstrate the impact and value of our work.

Above all, you will share our belief that later life should be a time of opportunity, and that older people should have independence, choice and a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect them.

This is more than an opportunity to lead a successful charity. It is an opportunity to influence how Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly supports its ageing population and to lead an organisation with the reach, relationships and ambition to make a lasting difference.

How to Apply

Download the attached brief for full details.

For a confidential conversation about the opportunity, please contact Anna Jay, Managing Director of Public Leaders Appointments, at anna@publicleadersappointments.com.

To apply, please submit your CV together with a covering letter outlining your motivation for applying and how your skills, knowledge and experience equip you for the role. Please note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Applications should be sent to applications@publicleadersappointments.com quoting AGEUK.

Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds and communities.

Closing date: Midday, 20 October 2026
Interviews, Stakeholder and Team Panels: 5 / 6 November 2026, Newquay