‘Quango queen’ to lead health charity’s board

The former chair of the Charity Commission Suzi Leather has been appointed by the Alzheimer’s Society to lead its board.

She is set to be appointed in September and is described by the charity has being a “passionate advocate for change” and having a personal connection to dementia.

“Our Board of Trustees is delighted to announce that Dame Suzi Leather, DBE, will be appointed Chair in September 2023,” said the charity in a statement on social media.

“Suzi, who is a passionate advocate for change, has a close personal connection to dementia and understands the devastation that dementia can cause.”

Leather had chaired the Charity Commission from 2006 to 2012 and was succeeded by William Shawcross.

Under the previous Labour government she was labelled “quango queen” in sections of the media, after being appointed to 13 different posts in quangos.

This included stints as deputy chair of the Food Standards Agency, chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and leading the board of the School Food Trust.

She was embroiled in controversy as Charity Commission chair amid accusations she was pursuing a political agenda, in particular against the private school system.

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