Former Department of Health and Social Care director general Michelle Dyson has been appointed as the next chief executive officer of the Alzheimer’s Society.
Dyson was DHSC’s DG responsible for adult social care from May 2021 until July this year, although she held the role on an interim basis from September 2020.
She will take over from interim Alzheimer’s Society CEO Corinne Mills at the start of November. The society’s previous chief executive, Kate Lee, left the organisation earlier this year.
Alzheimer’s Society chair Dame Suzi Leather said Dyson had been “the outstanding candidate” from a highly competitive and talented field of applicants.
“A hugely bright dedicated public servant, Michelle has wide experience of different policy fields in central government and has led in some tough areas of public policy,” Leather said. “Her unwavering commitment to driving positive change and making a difference to people’s lives shines through her professional career. I know she will bring a passion for the dementia cause and a determination that in all that we do, Alzheimer’s Society excels.
“The entire organisation, board, staff and volunteers, welcomes Michelle and looks forward, under her leadership, to increasing our impact as the leading charity working to ensure that dementia no longer devastates lives.”
Dyson, who was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2025 New Year Honours in recognition of her outstanding contribution to health and social care, said she was “thrilled” to be joining the Alzheimer’s Society.
“I am so impressed by the scale of what Alzheimer’s Society does – in terms of its direct support services, hugely ambitious programmes of research and innovation and wide-ranging partnerships across the UK,” she said.
“The challenge of dementia is enormous, a cruel disease which is already the leading cause of death in the UK. Three of my grandparents had dementia so I have personal experience of the terrible human consequences. The sense of ambition and possibility at Alzheimer’s Society is striking, and I am honoured to lead the charity at this important time.”
Before joining DHSC in 2020, Dyson was director of qualification, curriculum and extra-curricular at the Department for Education for just over three years. Prior to that she was director of early years and childcare at the department.
Earlier in her career Dyson held several director roles at the Department for Work and Pensions and at the Ministry of Justice. She also served as a deputy director at the Cabinet Office.