Age International announces appointment of new CEO, Tim Holmes

Today, Age International announces the appointment of Tim Holmes as the Charity's new CEO. Tim will also join the Board of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) where he will represent Age International as one of the DEC's member charities. He begins his new role on 1 February 2027.

Tim will be leaving his current position as interim CEO at Muslim Aid. He brings nearly 30 years' experience in humanitarian and development organisations, seeking to support those who are marginalised and fight against injustice. For 15 years, he held a variety of senior positions with Oxfam GB, including as International Operations Director. He has lived and worked in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, including Afghanistan, Sudan and Palestine, for more than 10 years. Tim has supported partners and operational teams to implement live-saving emergency programmes, promote long-term sustainable development and achieve positive policy change.

Tim said: "I am deeply honoured to be joining Age International. As our world ages, the need to ensure that older people everywhere are valued, can live with dignity and have a voice in the decisions that affect them has never been more urgent.

"Age International has an important and distinctive role to play – working with the HelpAge global network and partners around the world to ensure that older people's basic needs are met in times of humanitarian crises, and that the poverty, inequality and injustice affecting older people is addressed. I am looking forward to working with colleagues, partners and older people themselves to help make ageing a much more prominent part of global conversations on aid, development and human rights."

Alison Davies, Chair of the Age International Board of Trustees said: "We are delighted that Tim Holmes is joining Age International as our new CEO. He brings an impressive track record as an experienced humanitarian and international development leader.

“Tim joins us at a critical time for older people worldwide. As humanitarian crises and climate shocks intensify, older people are too often overlooked. Instead, they must be recognised both as rights holders and as a source of strength within their communities.

“I would like to thank Alison Marshall, our departing CEO, for her dedication and contribution to Age International. Alison’s leadership has helped shape the organisation and advance our important work supporting older people around the world. On behalf of the Board, we wish her the very best for the future.”

Tim takes over the role from Alison Marshall, who will leave Age International later this month to take up her new position as CEO at Mothers’ Union. Alison has led the organisation for over four years, including raising funds to support older people in the humanitarian crises in Ukraine, the Middle East, Myanmar and Venezuela. She has helped drive progress towards a new UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, as well as putting a spotlight on the challenges facing older women globally.

Tony Hopkins, Age International's Head of Programme Development and Funding, will be Acting CEO for Age International from Alison Marshall's departure until Tim Holmes starts on 1 February 2027.