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Independent Age

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Lost in the twilight zone - Anonymous employee Independent Age Employee Review

1.0
5 Feb 2020
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Unlike most charities they have lots of money so no risk the funding will run out. There’s a new chief exec and a newish young leadership team. info and advice does great work. Innovation team trying to shake things up. Involvement team doing worthwhile work.

Cons

They fundamentally have no idea who they are or why they exist. There is no strategy and hasn’t been for several years and no sign of one. Few people seem proud of the work they do for old people. Measurement of impact is very poor. It’s very hierarchical and most new ideas or initiatives get killed because they might not be in line with strategy (when it arrives). There is endless consultation in strategy or innovation or continuous improvement but nothing changes. Confidence in the leadership is very low and morale at rock bottom. Heads of department have very little power. Staff get axed and leave with little communication as to why. Turmoil over the last few years has chewed up and spat out some great people.

Explore other reviews about Independent Age

1.0
2 Jul 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good Pay, WFH, Great learning opportunities

Cons

IA is held back by poor leadership and a lack of effective management. Communication from managers is inconsistent, leaving employees confused about expectations and priorities. Rather than providing support and direction, management often seems disorganised and disconnected from the day-to-day realities of the charity. One of the biggest issues is the promotion process. People are frequently promoted into management roles without the experience, leadership ability, or relevant skills needed to succeed. This creates frustration for both employees and the managers themselves, as decisions are often poorly informed and inconsistent. The senior leadership team also appears to make decisions that feel reactive rather than strategic. Changes are introduced with little explanation or consultation, leading to uncertainty, low morale, and a lack of confidence in the charities direction. There are talented people working there, but they are often let down by ineffective leadership, weak communication, and questionable decision-making. Until the company invests in developing capable leaders and creates a more transparent, accountable management culture, it will likely continue to struggle with employee engagement and retention.

1
1.0
2 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

None. Useless "people" team. Useless managers who aren't qualified in the departments they're in charge of. Constant change and redundancies.

Cons

Useless "people" team. Useless managers who aren't qualified in the departments they're in charge of. Constant change and redundancies

1
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