A fare well and thank you
Graham Gardiner is moving on – from CEO of Age UK Lambeth to leading a hospice in Scotland. If you have found MYsocial / AUK Lambeth to be of special value in these times you have Graham, and the people he’s encouraged like Dee and her team, to thank. For me it has been a joy and an education to watch him in action. Early on he told me to be aware that he was “a control freak”. Funny, true to a degree, and interesting to learn from. Yes he’s been hot on setting systems and structures, and that has to shut down freedom and inventiveness, right? Well no. In fact the control and structure has allowed everyone to be more inventive. It’s like anything that takes skill, energy and inspiration. It works best when you’re very clear about how it’s done. Then you have good foundations to discover all the new ways it could be done.
For me, after 75 years of learning and doing, Graham has provided a shining example of control providing freedom. To everyone who’se lives have been improved by AUK Lambeth I just want to tell you all this, and invite you to join me in saying fare well Graham.
