New Dementia Envoy appointed
The Prime Minister has appointed David Mayhew as the new Dementia Envoy.
David Mayhew, new Dementia Envoy
The envoy works with countries, corporations and leaders from around the world, sharing expertise and promoting research and support for people with dementia and their carers.
David Mayhew said:
It’s an honour to be asked to take on this role for the Prime Minister, and I am delighted to be able to play a part in furthering international efforts to tackle dementia. As chairman of Alzheimer’s Research UK I am acutely aware that dementia is not only a personal tragedy for those affected, but a problem affecting all of society, and arguably the greatest medical challenge of our time.
Urgent action is needed, and the UK has a hugely important role to play in this fight. I look forward to working with the UK government to tackle dementia on an international scale – we must lead the way, and we must all redouble our efforts to defeat this devastating condition once and for all.
Dementia is a high priority for the UK government and internationally. The envoy will play an important role in supporting the 2020 challenge on dementia.
Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, said:
Defeating dementia is one the biggest challenges of our generation. David’s appointment once again demonstrates the government’s commitment to this task, both within the UK and on a global scale.
David brings a wealth of experience and influence to this role, backed by a highly impressive track record of engaging and attracting private finance into dementia innovation, research and care. I’m looking forward to working with him as we continue to lead the way in improving the lives of people with dementia around the world.
I also want to express my personal gratitude to Dr Dennis Gillings for the tremendous leadership, commitment and energy he has brought to the envoy role to tackle dementia over the last 2 years.
David takes over from Dennis Gillings, who was the World Dementia Envoy for 2 years. Dennis helped to launch the £100 million Dementia Discovery Fund and was instrumental in the progress that’s been made since the first G8 summit on dementia was held in 2013.
Dennis Gillings said:
It has been a privilege to serve as the UK government’s first World Dementia Envoy, supporting the UK’s global leadership in tackling the life-shattering disease of dementia, which impacted on me personally as well as professionally.
I am delighted that David Mayhew has been appointed as the new global dementia envoy. He has exactly the right combination of skills, experience and influence to keep the UK at the forefront of the global fight-back against dementia and to sustain the momentum I was very proud to be a part of.
David Mayhew CBE is former Chairman of JP Morgan Cazenove and now Vice Chairman of JP Morgan’s global investment bank. He is also Chairman of Alzheimer’s Research UK and a member of the Wellcome Trust Investment Committee, supporting new breakthroughs in dementia research.