Skills for Care CEO Professor Oonagh Smyth CBE appointed Trustee of Age UK
Professor Oonagh Smyth CBE, CEO of Skills for Care, has been appointed as a Trustee of Age UK. The appointment is effective as of 1 June 2026, following a comprehensive interview process.
Oonagh joins an esteemed Board of Trustees made up of highly experienced leaders from across health, social care and the voluntary sector. The Board includes Sharon Allen, former CEO of Skills for Care, who has been an Age UK trustee since 2017.
As CEO of Skills for Care since 2020, Oonagh has driven national work to strengthen workforce capacity, capability and sustainability, including leading the development of the first comprehensive Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy. Her career spans senior leadership roles across the voluntary sector, including at Mencap, alongside a strong focus on equality, governance and system-wide change.
Oonagh holds an undergraduate degree in law and a Master’s degree in Human Rights Law from Queen’s University Belfast, and a Master’s degree in Executive Coaching from Ashridge Business School.
She works closely with national and local partners on system-wide workforce reform and sits on several advisory groups, including Think Local Act Personal and Coventry University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Health Advisory Board. Oonagh is a Non-Executive Director at CU Health and Care Limited, a former Co-Chair of the Care and Support Alliance, an accredited executive coach and a Salzburg Global Fellow.
Age UK is the UK’s leading charity for older people, providing a wide range of support including advice, friendship services, local community support and national campaigning. The organisation works to ensure every older person feels included and valued, while tackling key issues such as loneliness, poverty, health and access to care.
Speaking about her appointment, Oonagh said:
I’m absolutely delighted and feel very honoured to have been appointed as a Trustee of Age UK. It’s a privilege to join such an inspiring group of Trustees who are so committed to making a real difference to the lives of older people.
I recently attended my first Board away day, which was a brilliant experience – it was wonderful to meet fellow Trustees in person, learn more about the scale and impact of Age UK’s work, and see the passion and commitment that underpins everything the organisation does.
This role really connects with my work at Skills for Care and my personal values around dignity, inclusion and supporting people to live well. I’m excited to get started and to play my part in supporting Age UK’s incredibly important work.
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