Andrew Chidgey has been appointed the Alzheimer’s Society’s next Director of External Affairs.

Andrew Chidgey is currently Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Alzheimer’s Society and has been responsible for developing policy and public affairs work in areas such as mental capacity legislation, access to drugs and changes to the system of charging for care.

The current Director of External Affairs, Andrew Ketteringham, announced in summer this year that he will retire in January 2012 after five years with the Society.

Andrew Chidgey, who was the Society’s lead on the development and implementation of the National Dementia Strategy for England and on the Dementia Action Alliance, said:

“The Society has achieved so much in pushing dementia up the public and political agenda in recent years. I am delighted to have worked with such a talented and committed group of people to achieve that change. I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Director of External Affairs to build on the success achieved by Andrew Ketteringham, the External Affairs Directorate and the Society as a whole. There’s a lot to do and we’re going to do it.”

Andrew Ketteringham, Alzheimer’s Society’s current Director of External Affairs said:

“I am sad to be leaving the Society but it’s made a lot easier knowing I am passing my role on to Andrew. Having worked with him for the past five years I don’t know anyone who is more deserving of the role or who could do a better job. I am delighted for both Andrew and for the Society.”