Positive Futures, the all-Ireland charity supporting those with a learning disability, acquired brain injury and autism, today announces that Dr Agnes Lunny OBE, Founder and Chief Executive, will retire at the end of this year, following 30 plus years of dedicated service. Agnes will remain in post until a successor is appointed as part of a planned, Board-led transition, ensuring continuity and a smooth handover.
Over three decades, Agnes has shaped a highly respected, values-led and robust organisation. Her vision in establishing Positive Futures in 1995 helped shift learning/intellectual disability and social care practice away from institutional models and towards person-centred, rights based, community support, a journey described in her 30year anniversary reflections.
During her tenure, Positive Futures has grown from a small team of around 20 staff to more than 750 staff. Positive Futures established its first service in Bangor, County Down and now has services across all of the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland, as well as in five health regions in the Republic of Ireland, supporting people with a learning / intellectual disability, acquired brain injury and autism – and their families – to live the lives they want.
In due course, it is anticipated that Agnes will continue to contribute to the organisation in an advisory capacity.
Reflecting on her career, Agnes Lunny said:
“From the beginning, Positive Futures has been about supporting people with a learning / intellectual disability, acquired brain injury and autism to live ordinary, meaningful lives – lives built on choice, control and belonging. It has been my privilege to work alongside families, colleagues, commissioners and partners to make this possible. While I am stepping back from the Chief Executive role, my commitment to championing a person-centred approach for people in need of support and their families will remain. Additionally, I remain committed to doing all I can before I retire to ensure that social care staff in the voluntary sector receive the recognition they deserve by ensuring that they are paid at least the Real Living Wage.”
Positive Futures will continue to develop and deliver high quality support grounded in a human rights and person-centred approach, building on the values that have defined Agnes’s leadership. The organisation will also maintain and strengthen relationships with Health and Social Care Trust and HSE leaders, government and other statutory partners, which have been central to its work throughout her tenure.
Recruitment of a new Chief Executive
The Board has begun the process of recruiting a new Chief Executive. This appointment will be values-led, strategic, and focused on continuity, sustainability, quality and continuous improvement.
Joint Statement from the Boards of Trustees:
“This is a planned, Board-led transition, with Agnes remaining in post until the end of this year to ensure continuity and a smooth handover. We are excited to launch the process with an executive search firm to support us, to appoint a leader who will build on the strong foundation Agnes has laid over more than 30 years.”