Irene Oldfather

Irene works with external partners to promote and enhance the ALLIANCE’s collaborative opportunities.

Irene is a Director at the ALLIANCE, where she leads on Strategic Partnerships and Engagement across a range of key initiatives including the Women’s Health Plan, Mesh, the National Collaborative, Person Centred Voices, Mental Health Standards, and Medicines (e.g. polypharmacy and effective prescribing). She also works closely with the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland on vaccination programmes.

Her work also extends to Europe, where she currently serves as Chair of the European Patient Academy (EUPATI) Scotland National Liaison Team (NLT), Vice-Chair of the UK Domestic Advisory Group on Trade and Cooperation with the EU, Convenor of the UK Domestic Advisory Group Subgroup on Issues Affecting Nations and Regions, and Chair of the Scottish Advisory Group on Europe (SAFE).

She has been shortlisted for the EU Empower Awards in the categories of Outstanding Achievement (2024) and Inspiring European Connections (2025) for her work in bringing together partners and stakeholders across Europe.

As a Member of the Scottish Parliament (1999–2011), Irene established and chaired the Cross-Party Group on Alzheimer’s and Dementia, which drafted and agreed the Charter of Rights for People with Dementia and their Carers. She also chaired the European and External Relations Committee for most of her 12-year term.

She actively campaigns for the rights of older people and was the first Member of the Scottish Parliament to be nominated and shortlisted for the Dod’s UK Parliamentary Award for Services to Older People in 2009. Irene recently stepped down as Chair of the National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN) after serving for four years, and was recently shortlisted for the Scottish Public Service Award in the category of Leadership.

Irene was educated at the University of Strathclyde, where she obtained an Honours degree in Politics and a postgraduate MSc by Research. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2024.