After a decade of dedicated service, a CEO will be stepping down to retire at the end of July to “put into practice everything she has learned about ageing well”.

Age UK Bolton announced that Suzanne Hilton will be retiring, and following a rigorous selection process the new CEO is set to be Lauren McKechnie.

Under Suzanne’s leadership the charity has quadrupled in size and developed an amazing portfolio of services to support and inspire Bolton’s over 50s, now serving around 10,000 people a year.

The charity is recognised as the town’s leading authority on ageing well, the voice of older people, championing independence, choice and fighting ageism.

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Lauren, who is currently serving as the Deputy CEO of Bolton CVS, will begin her new role in May 2024 enjoying a three-month handover with Suzanne before taking the reins fully from August

Quoting US writer and broadcaster Andy Rooney, Age UK Bolton’s Chairman, David Smart said: “For the last ten years, Suzanne has climbed many mountains for Age UK Bolton.

“There has been lots of happiness, lots of growth and successes, all for the benefit of our ageing population of Bolton, each enjoying the views from her climb.

“Equally with many rockfalls while climbing along the way, each trying to break her steadfast resolve of quality service of care for vulnerable people, her tenacity and care would never allow that to happen.

“All the team at Age UK Bolton are grateful of her time with us and wish her a very long and happy retirement. We will miss you, Suzanne.

“We are delighted to welcome Lauren McKechnie as our new CEO later this year, confident that she is the right person to build on this robust platform and lead our charity on the next stage of its journey.”

Phil Mason, Bolton CVS Chairman said: “Lauren is a loss to Bolton CVS because she is so highly skilled, motivated and a real driving force of our work, but we are delighted that she is not lost to the sector and is taking up a key role in such an important organisation in our borough.

“Suzanne has done a tremendous job at Age UK Bolton, and I know that Lauren will build upon that for a strong future and serving many people across Bolton.

“All at Bolton CVS wish Lauren well in all she will go on to do and we look forward to continuing to work with her in this new role.”

This transition in Age UK Bolton’s 77th year marks another significant milestone for the charity, underscoring its commitment to continued growth and service with, for and on behalf of older people in Bolton.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.