The older people’s charity Brendoncare has promoted Michael Crutchley to chief executive.

The Hampshire-based charity supports elderly people through its management of care centres and volunteer-led friendship and wellbeing clubs in the south of England.

Crutchley, who has been at the charity since April 2023 as director of care and wellbeing, succeeds Marianne Wantsall, who left the charity in September after more than four years in the role.

The charity did not respond when asked what Wantsall’s next steps were.

Crutchley has more than 25 years’ experience in health and social care, starting as a health care assistant in 1997 before qualifying as a mental health nurse.

He said: “I am inspired by the work that Brendoncare does, and by our teams who work together to deliver it.

“As an organisation, our values are key to everything we do; kind, dedicated, forward-thinking and empowering.

“I am deeply motivated to continually improve how we deliver care and support, and so it is a privilege to lead an organisation where that is always our priority.”

Phil Dowson, chair of Brendoncare, said: “We are thrilled that Michael will now lead our organisation as we continue our important work to improve the lives of older people.”