Friends of the Elderly has enlisted the experience of World Vision's former head of strategy, innovation and organisational development to drive the charity's vision of turning its major care home sites into local community hubs.

Chris Poole was appointed operations director of the 100-year-old charity this month, replacing Jenny Sykes who has retired after 16 years with the charity. Poole will be responsible for the day-to-day running and strategic development of its services.

Announcing Poole's appointment, chief executive Richard Furze said:

"We are delighted to welcome Chris and are confident that he will bring first class skills and plenty of energy to the role. As we drive forward the organisation of our community 'hubs', to provide 360 degree care to as many old people as we can...Chris's organisational skills will be of paramount importance."

Poole said that the UK is heading towards a "crisis" where by 2020 over a quarter of the population will be over 60. Leading strategy at Friends of the Elderly will therefore be a "wonderful challenge" he said.

The charity provides residential care homes, nursing homes and dementia care homes but hopes to support community living by expanding these into community hubs in order to help make isolation a thing of the past.

Poole will be responsible for this movement, using experience gained at World Vision and as chief executive of a Birmingham neighbourhood charity. He also has experience in the private sector including roles as innovation and business improvement leader at Atkins architecture and infrastructure organisation and as a consultant for the marketing organisation Arthur Steen Horne Adamson.