Charity Age UK has appointed Steph Harland as its new chief executive, starting immediately.

Harland (pictured) has served as acting chief executive since September, and prior to that was deputy chief executive. The appointment follows a competitive process at the end of last year.

Harland commented: “As a person who is passionate about supporting older people, I’ve always been exceptionally proud to work for Age UK and of our role at the heart of a network of charities across the UK and around the world who share our determination to ensure that older people can love their later life. And so, I feel very honoured to be chosen to lead Age UK into the future.”

Harman will be joined in February by Sir Brian Pomeroy, who will become chairman of the board of trustees when the current incumbent and founding chairman Dianne Jeffrey reaches the end of her final term.

Pomeroy joined the board as a trustee in 2017, and has held a number of positions at charities, think tanks, government commissions and taskforces.