Director of Care Services

Ian Buchan joined Independent Age in February 2008. He has 26 years' experience in the health and social care field, working mostly with older people both in direct services and commissioning roles.

Prior to joining Independent Age he was the senior manager responsible for Hackney Council’s In-House Care Services, working with older people with complex needs, both physical and mental health related. He started his working life in a community alarm scheme for older people in south London and went on to become a social worker and manager. He has particular interests in designing new services and approaches to meeting people’s needs and uses his own experience of his mother receiving care throughout his childhood to inform his work.

He is Chair of one of London’s Age Concern branches and a Trustee on an HIV and Sexual Health Charity. He was also a Samaritans volunteer for nearly 20 years, during which time he held a number of roles from housekeeper to Branch Director, using this experience to go on to be a trained Counsellor and Psychosexual Therapist.