In this episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam Stacey sits down with Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

This is a conversation packed with vision, candour and big ideas.

Hilary reflects on her early days in campaigning and advocacy, and how a bold strategic reset helped shape one of the UK’s most ambitious and fast-growing medical research charities.

From navigating complexity to knowing when to say no, Hilary shares the leadership lessons that have defined her 10-year journey as CEO.

You’ll hear how Alzheimer’s Research UK scaled from 45 to nearly 300 staff, increased income from £10 million to £60 million, and kept mission and culture at the heart of it all. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about leading through change, building strong teams, and creating space for innovation in the charity sector.

Tune in to hear:
What it really takes to lead a charity through growth and transformation
How to build a resilient culture without losing sight of impact
Why clarity, collaboration and courage matter more than ever
Practical advice for future leaders shaping the sector

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to Hilary Evans-Newton and Alzheimer’s Research UK
06:21 – Quickfire Questions: Personal Insights and Interests
10:51 – Journey into the Charity Sector: Early Career and Advocacy
16:07 – Transitioning to Leadership: Experiences at Age UK
20:24 – Becoming Chief Executive: Opportunities and Challenges
23:21 – Evolution of Leadership and Organisational Growth
27:12 – Key Leadership Policies for Growth
29:37 – Learning from Setbacks and Strategic Prioritisation
33:38 – Culture, Values and the Human Side of Leadership
36:28 – Alzheimer’s Research UK: Mission, Impact and the Future of Dementia Research
41:14 – Reflections on Career and Confidence
43:53 – Closing Thoughts

The Charity Changemakers Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

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