A CHARITY’S chief executive ended his career with a highlight after launching the merger of two branches he had helped to orchestrate.

Alan Purchon told Headway Worcestershire’s annual general meeting he was leaving on a high and was sure the brain injury charity could provide even better services as one organisation.

The annual meeting saw the launch of the merged north and south Worcestershire branches as one service for the whole of the county as well as marking the retirement of Mr Purchon.

Mr Purchon has worked for Headway for 11 years, starting as manager of the Worcester day centre, in Gregory’s Mill Street, and then becoming chief executive.

He said: “I enjoyed working in the motor and distribution trades but running a charity has been the most rewarding.”

Mr Purchon will be greatly missed by colleagues who praised him for his quiet authority and ability to get things done, the meeting was told.

The future of Headway Worcestershire is being steered by new chief executive Mel Akers, whose career background is in health and social care. He previously led a charity in Bristol called Milestones before taking a ‘grey gap year’.

Mr Akers said: “I am really pleased to have been given the opportunity to lead a Worcestershire charity as I’ve lived in Worcester for the last 28 years and I have a real passion for quality care services.

“My definition of quality is to put myself in a service user’s shoes and ask is this service good enough for me if I needed support or care?”