Social care charity Vibrance has appointed Andrea Wiggins as chief executive, replacing Paul Allen who is retiring at the end of March.

Wiggins has spent her entire career in social care, beginning as a support worker and progressing to take on senior roles across a number of third sector organisations. She was previously chief executive of Aurora Nexus, a charity based in Southeast London supporting people with learning disabilities.

For more than 35 years, Vibrance has provided specialist services for adults with learning disabilities, mental health support needs, autism. The charity supports around 550 adults across London and the Southeast in care homes, supported living services, day services, outreach and short break services, as well as another 3,000 people who receive personal budgets through its self-directed services, which puts people in charge of their own budgets.

In recent years, Vibrance has acquired Haringey Association for Independent Living (HAIL), taking control of a number of care homes, as well as a group of additional supported living services, and taken transfer of some learning disability services from L&Q Living.

Wiggins said: “Vibrance is a provider that is willing to be brave and has a track record to prove that through its recent merger with HAIL and other initiatives. It is an organisation that always wants to learn, evolve and change, and I am really comfortable in that space.

“I’m thrilled to be joining such a wonderful organisation with such a proud and impactful history. Vibrance is a complex organisation, but it’s not so big that I can’t get to know enough about people to ask the right questions at the right time.”

“The journey that Paul and I have been on is very similar, both starting out as support workers and then going on to fulfil other roles, which gives a full understanding of the operation work an organisation does. I bring experience from working in tiny charities to some of the biggest organisations in the sector, and that level of understanding will be invaluable in helping guide Vibrance through its next chapter.”

Anne Lyons, chair of Vibrance, said: “Andrea brings with her a wealth of experience, a proven track record of leadership, and a shared passion for the values that make Vibrance the pioneering, inclusive and successful organisation where we are all proud to work. Having spent her entire career in social care, Andrea is uniquely positioned to guide our organisation into the next chapter of growth.

“We are fortunate to have a period of overlap where Paul and Andrea will work together to ensure a smooth transition. While Paul’s retirement brings a mix of emotions for all of us, Vibrance is an organisation that embraces evolution and change, and this is very much the beginning of the next stage in our journey.”