The commission responsible for helping voluntary organisations prepare and adapt to an ageing society in the next 20 years has announced the members of its board.

The Commission for the Voluntary Sector and Ageing was established by charity think tank New Philanthropy Capital in partnership with ILC-UK. The formal work on the enquiry also begins today. It has received £175,000 from the Big Lottery Fund and £35,000 from Prudential to fund the project.

Dan Corry, chief executive of NPC, is a member of the Commission. He said:  “It is encouraging that we have got so many talented people on board with this Commission, a reflection of how important this work is.”

Other members include: James Cochrane, vice chairman of Raleigh International; Baroness Sally Greengross, chief executive of ILC-UK; Javed Khan, chief executive of Victim Support; and Keji Okeowo, youth participation manager of the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services.

The commissioners have been selected to bring a range of perspectives and experiences and to reflect the fact that the commission is not just about older people but also about the huge impact an ageing society will have on the voluntary sector.

The ten members of the Commission will be supported by an expert panel, which includes, Andrew Hind, editor of Charity Finance and Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of Acevo.

Lynne Berry (pictured), chair of the commission for the Voluntary Sector and Ageing, said charities face significant challenges and opportunities as a result of the ageing society.

“The fact that around one-third of babies born in 2012 in the United Kingdom are expected to celebrate their 100th birthday, and that so many people are living longer and healthier lives, is of course good news but we must prepare for the changes this will bring.”

The Commission plans to work with voluntary organisations to develop answers as to how the sector can lead the way to adapting in an ageing population. It will publish its initial findings in March 2014 and an interim report in the run up to the 2015 general election. A final report with recommendations for the future will follow.

The newly-announced commissioners are:

• Stephen Burke: Director of United for All Ages and Good Care Guide.
• Ken Burnett: Trustee of the Disasters Emergency Committee and founder and a managing trustee of the SOFII Foundation.
• James Cochrane: Vice chairman of Raleigh International
• Dan Corry: Chief executive of NPC, previous head of the Number 10 Policy Unit and senior adviser to the Prime Minister on the economy.
• Kristina Glenn MBE: Chief executive of Cripplegate Foundation in Islington and chair of London Funders.
• Baroness Sally Greengross: Chief executive of ILC-UK; crossbench (independent) member of the House of Lords since 2000 and chair of five all-party parliamentary groups: dementia, corporate social responsibility, intergenerational futures, continence care and ageing and older people (co-chair).
• Javed Khan: Chief executive of Victim Support, a board member of the Sentencing Council for England and Wales, the Criminal Justice Council and a London clinical commissioning group.
• Keji Okeowo: Youth participation manager of National Council for Voluntary Youth Services.
• Paul Palmer: Professor of voluntary sector management and associate dean for ethics, sustainability and engagement, Cass Business School.
• Sonia Sodha: Head of public services and consumer rights policy at Which?, the Consumers' Association, where she leads their work on public services, health and social care.