Spokespeople

Joanna Elson CBE

Joanna is Chief Executive of Independent Age.

Previously, she was CEO of Money Advice Trust, the charity running National Debtline and Business Debtline, whose vision is to help people across the UK to tackle their debts and manage their money with confidence.

Joanna is a director of the financial services trade association UK Finance, representing vulnerable consumers and Chair of the Advisory Board at Birmingham University’s Centre on Household Assets and Savings Management. She is also a Chartered Director and a Director of Fair 4 All Finance, which is using dormant assets to increase financial inclusion.

Twitter/X
@JoannaElson

Morgan Vine

Morgan Vine is the Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, leading activity to tackle poverty in later life across the nations.

During her career Morgan has amplified the voices of people affected by different issues and worked to improve policy and legislation on topics such as social security, employment, health, social care and accessibility. Before joining Independent Age, Morgan worked for multiple national charities including Age UK, RNIB, Parkinson’s UK and Versus Arthritis. Alongside this, she has played a key role in multiple coalitions including being a member of the steering group of the UK Commission on Bereavement and was a former Chair of the Continuing Healthcare Alliance and the Prescription Charges Coalition. Morgan is also a Trustee for Age UK Bromley and Greenwich and the Centre for Mental Health.

Twitter username
@MorganVine_

Hilary Burkitt

Hilary leads our work on housing policy at Independent Age. She has developed expertise in housing in over 15 years working in the sector, including working with and for a wider range of social housing providers and as head of research at the charity Shelter. She is also an experienced social researcher and has provided policy consultancy within the civil service on a wide range of health and social policy areas. She is passionate about making the housing system work for all, particularly for people on low incomes. Hilary is also a trustee at the homelessness charity Justlife.

Kelly Conlan

Kelly Conlan is a Manager of the Advice and Support Service at Independent Age, supporting the team to provide expert advice to older people facing financial hardship.

Kelly has an extensive background in the advice sector, both at a local and national level, with a particular specialism in the areas of Welfare Benefits and Housing. She also works closely with the Advice Training team at Independent Age who offer training programmes to a range of individuals designed to raise awareness of financial hardship for older people, and of what support and entitlements may be available. Previously, Kelly had a long career in the social care sector, providing advice and training to other professionals on a national level.

Fran McSweeney

Fran is Head of Services at Independent Age and has led advice and information services within the charity sector for over 30 years. Fran has knowledge of welfare benefits, housing and social care and the issues that older people face in claiming their entitlements, living on a low income, dealing with our complex social care, and housing systems.