Alzheimer Scotland welcomes Henry Simmons as new Chief Executive

Following the recent announcement of Jim Jackson's retirement, we are pleased to welcome Henry Simmons as the new Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland. He will take up his appointment on Monday 11 August. Henry comes to us from ENABLE Scotland, where he has been an Executive Director since 2001.

Jim Jackson said, "I am delighted that Henry Simmons will be my successor as Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland. His previous management and professional experience working for ENABLE are ideal preparation for the challenge of leading our organisation.

We have a great deal to be proud about: dementia has become a national priority, people with dementia and their carers are increasingly speaking out themselves about their needs and Alzheimer Scotland’s services have advanced substantially in the last fifteen years. However, we all know that much more needs to be done. I am sure that the staff and volunteers of Alzheimer Scotland, under Henry’s leadership, will be up to the challenge."

Henry has over 20 years experience of developing and providing a range of community-based support services for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems. He is a qualified social worker and RMN and has a MBA from Glasgow Caledonian University.



Henry Simmons: new chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland.

Henry is pleased to be joining Alzheimer Scotland: "It really is a privilege to be offered the opportunity to take on the role of Chief Executive with such a significant and well-established voluntary organisation. You only need to look at the level of priority being placed on the needs of people with dementia by the new Scottish Government to understand how effective the organisation has been. This is a real credit to the work of Jim Jackson and all the staff, members and volunteers involved in Alzheimer Scotland who have campaigned for, and supported, people with dementia and their carers for so many years.

I aim to build on that work and to make sure that we use this platform to take the organisation forward and maximise every opportunity we have to improve the lives, services, support and recognition of people with dementia and their carers. I wish Jim well in his retirement and thank him for the support he has provided me with in planning my transition to Alzheimer Scotland."