Chris Roles
Chris Roles
Chris' humility, kindness and calm were much appreciated throughout his time with us. His depth of understanding, thoughtful approach to our cause, and wonderful storytelling will be forever valued. He was passionate about helping older people around the world and we are grateful for everything he contributed. He will be greatly missed by many. We will ensure that his legacy continues through Age International’s work with, and for, older people in challenging situations across the world."
Obituary
Following the loss, on Sunday 25 May, of the former Age International Managing Director, Chris Roles, we want to share with you some words from Ann Keeling, our Chair of Trustees, about his time at Age International and the legacy he leaves behind.
“On behalf of everyone at Age International and Age UK, I would like to share our deepest condolences with Chris Roles’ family and friends at this very sad time.
“It was an honour to work with Chris during his time at Age International. He was the first Director of Age International and led the charity from its creation in 2012 through to 2022. Chris played a key role in establishing and growing the organisation, leading us to punch above our weight with our influencing and communications work and growing our support as a trusted partner in the HelpAge Global Network. Chris was a talented and strategic leader, steering Age International through periods of growth and through the difficult days of the pandemic. He shaped the way we think about global ageing.
“During his time at Age International, Chris was also on the Board of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and supported humanitarian appeals, always ensuring the inclusion of older people in responses. He led the Age International response to numerous appeals, including to the Ukraine crisis, the Nepal earthquake and the East Africa crisis.
“Chris' humility, kindness and calm were much appreciated throughout his time with us. His depth of understanding, thoughtful approach to our cause, and wonderful storytelling will be forever valued. He was passionate about helping older people around the world and we are grateful for everything he contributed. He will be greatly missed by many. We will ensure that his legacy continues through Age International’s work with, and for, older people in challenging situations across the world.”
Memory wall
Please share your memories and stories of Chris, in celebration of his life.
July 21, 2025
I had the pleasure of working with Chris from 2012 to 2017 when I led Communications at Age International and Chris was the CEO. I say "CEO", but he was given a peculiar job title like 'Managing Director" and he was far too humble to insist on the correct title. In fact, I remember, on many occasions, Chris would just introduce himself as "Chris, from Age International".
As well as being humble, Chris was a kind and good man. Those short words seem too small to encapsulate how positive those attributes are in a leader and a colleague. I could always count on Chris to see the best in people and a situation.
Chris was a quietly humorous man. I remember when he started at Age International, he asked whether we wore fancy dress for our Christmas lunch (he had done so at a previous workplace) and he chuckled as we told him we were sorely tempted to lie, just so he could turn up in fancy dress while we remained in "civvies". We went to an awards ceremony once, at Madame Tussauds and Chris was due to hand out an award. The photographer was desperate to get an unusual shot of Chris and took us around the museum looking for someone Chris could stand next to. He was offered Beyonce and he politely declined, while raising an eyebrow in my direction. Other equally absurd celebs were offered. Eventually, we compromised on Gandhi and the shot was taken. Again with a wry smile. Chris would never have humiliated the photographer, but he treated his job with pride and reverence and wouldn't have wanted to debase that with a cheap shot of a waxwork celeb.
Chris was a man of integrity and that governed how he lived his life. I'm sad that he was not able to enjoy a long retirement with Penny and his family, which he had planned for and looked forward to.
As well as being humble, Chris was a kind and good man. Those short words seem too small to encapsulate how positive those attributes are in a leader and a colleague. I could always count on Chris to see the best in people and a situation.
Chris was a quietly humorous man. I remember when he started at Age International, he asked whether we wore fancy dress for our Christmas lunch (he had done so at a previous workplace) and he chuckled as we told him we were sorely tempted to lie, just so he could turn up in fancy dress while we remained in "civvies". We went to an awards ceremony once, at Madame Tussauds and Chris was due to hand out an award. The photographer was desperate to get an unusual shot of Chris and took us around the museum looking for someone Chris could stand next to. He was offered Beyonce and he politely declined, while raising an eyebrow in my direction. Other equally absurd celebs were offered. Eventually, we compromised on Gandhi and the shot was taken. Again with a wry smile. Chris would never have humiliated the photographer, but he treated his job with pride and reverence and wouldn't have wanted to debase that with a cheap shot of a waxwork celeb.
Chris was a man of integrity and that governed how he lived his life. I'm sad that he was not able to enjoy a long retirement with Penny and his family, which he had planned for and looked forward to.
June 30, 2025
So sad to see this news. Working with Chris some years ago at Age UK, I was always struck by his warmth, personability and skill. Very best wishes to his family. RIP.
June 24, 2025
I learnt so much from Chris' leadership during my time working at Age International. His kindness, lightheartedness, and genuine interest in getting to know the people he worked with, have really stuck with me as rare and unique qualities.
On the occasions when we travelled together for work, Chris often told heartfelt stories and anecdotes about his family. His love for his family was always so apparent when he spoke and I send them all my deepest condolences.
I feel very grateful to have worked with Chris in the few years I was with Age International and will remember him as a kind, thoughtful, person and an inspiring leader who cared deeply about his work.
On the occasions when we travelled together for work, Chris often told heartfelt stories and anecdotes about his family. His love for his family was always so apparent when he spoke and I send them all my deepest condolences.
I feel very grateful to have worked with Chris in the few years I was with Age International and will remember him as a kind, thoughtful, person and an inspiring leader who cared deeply about his work.
June 20, 2025
I will cherish fond memories of working with Chris and his dedication to strengthening our collective work on older people's human rights. He was a kind and respectful person who always brought a calm and constructive presence to our meetings and exchanges. I am sure he will be greatly missed by many.
June 19, 2025
Chris had a way of leading that was both principled and deeply human. He never sought the spotlight, yet his influence ran deep—quietly shaping how we think about dignity, rights, and justice in later life. His voice brought moral clarity to difficult debates, and his work left a lasting mark on policy and people alike.
His absence will be deeply felt, but his integrity and vision will continue to guide so many of us. We are all better for the paths he helped clear.
His absence will be deeply felt, but his integrity and vision will continue to guide so many of us. We are all better for the paths he helped clear.
June 19, 2025
It’s difficult to find quite the right words to share in these circumstances. One of my favourite memories of Chris is a walk we took through Karura forest in Nairobi when we were visiting the HelpAge team to develop a health project there. The forest was beautiful of course, but it was the conversation that stayed with me. Chris shared stories from his career, life, and offered advice, not in a prescriptive way but in a way that was thoughtful and generous.
I also felt privileged to feel like I had a window into Chris’ home life, he spoke of his family often, through small stories and anecdotes that demonstrated just how much he loved them and how proud he was of everything his children were doing, how central they were to his happiness.
Chris was clearly a smart, strategic leader and Age International as I am sure all the other places he worked will have benefited immensely from his presence but I will also remember the lightness, kindness and community he created at work.
I hope to take some of what I learned from my time working with Chris and pass it on to how I engage with other people. I am very grateful to have known him.
I also felt privileged to feel like I had a window into Chris’ home life, he spoke of his family often, through small stories and anecdotes that demonstrated just how much he loved them and how proud he was of everything his children were doing, how central they were to his happiness.
Chris was clearly a smart, strategic leader and Age International as I am sure all the other places he worked will have benefited immensely from his presence but I will also remember the lightness, kindness and community he created at work.
I hope to take some of what I learned from my time working with Chris and pass it on to how I engage with other people. I am very grateful to have known him.
June 18, 2025
I had the privilege of knowing Chris through his work and advocacy, and his passion for justice and dignity for older people around the world left a lasting impression on me. Chris was a leader who combined deep empathy with unwavering dedication. His vision and integrity inspired many, and his legacy will continue through the lives he touched and the causes he championed. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who worked alongside him.
Basem Shaher
SEMA
Syria and Türkiye
Basem Shaher
SEMA
Syria and Türkiye
June 18, 2025
Few leave the memories as unforgettable as Chris has done. His remarkable calmness, humility and sincerity truly stand out , and he won many hearts across the world with his persona. For the cause of ageing, he was deeply committed and played instrumental role in highlighting many priorities of older people.
I fondly remember my many meetings with him in different countries and his visit to GRAVIS in India. Each of those meetings is still fresh in my memory and was full of joy. Chris was an extraordinarily kind human being and deeply believed in the values of bonding. He will be missed in meetings and dialogues but his legacy will continue to inspire and to guide.
I and entire GRAVIS family express our deepest condolences and send prayers to his family. May Chris’ memories live on forever.
Prakash Tyagi
GRAVIS
India
I fondly remember my many meetings with him in different countries and his visit to GRAVIS in India. Each of those meetings is still fresh in my memory and was full of joy. Chris was an extraordinarily kind human being and deeply believed in the values of bonding. He will be missed in meetings and dialogues but his legacy will continue to inspire and to guide.
I and entire GRAVIS family express our deepest condolences and send prayers to his family. May Chris’ memories live on forever.
Prakash Tyagi
GRAVIS
India
June 17, 2025
When Chris spoke, people listened. That’s partly because we knew he would have something insightful to say, partly because he treated his colleagues as personal friends. When I wrote to wish him well on his departure from Age International, he replied: ‘I owe you a personal tour of Salisbury cathedral, and if you are ever in these parts, please do be in touch: I will have both the time and the wish to show you a bit of this corner of the UK.’ How rare to have professional colleagues who are so warm and human.
Peter Morrison
Peter Morrison
June 17, 2025
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Chris Roles. To me, Chris was a dear friend and a source of quiet strength and inspiration. His warmth, humility, and deep compassion shone through in every conversation, every decision, every encounter.
Chris had a profound respect for people—especially older people—and a sincere belief in dignity for all. He carried this belief not as a professional obligation, but as a personal calling. I will never forget how he listened, how he encouraged, and how he led with such grace.
With deepest sympathy and respect,
Quyen Tran
Chris had a profound respect for people—especially older people—and a sincere belief in dignity for all. He carried this belief not as a professional obligation, but as a personal calling. I will never forget how he listened, how he encouraged, and how he led with such grace.
With deepest sympathy and respect,
Quyen Tran
June 17, 2025
I remember meeting Chris for the first time in 2014 following the devastating destruction from floods in the Philippines. He was such a kind person and a dedicated leader. His legacy in support of global aging will be remembered.
June 17, 2025
We appreciate working with you all these years as our international Director and for your instrumental role in building HelpAge International network and advocating for older people in humanitarian responses of which we (The Liberia Community Resources Empowerment Assistance Program, Inc. (LIB-CREAP) and Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia (COCAEL) ) are supportive of and are proud to celebrate your home going. We say rest in peace. We promise to continue your legacy.
June 17, 2025
Chris was very instrumental to the growth the National Age Network of Zimbabwe (NANZ). I first met Chris in 2015 and we developed an instant bond through our shared concern for the welfare of older persons. I remember meeting Chris in London in 2019. What struck me most was his humility and responsiveness. We shared a lot about our families. He had a deep sense of duty and connected at a personal level. I was shocked he had detailed information about my father that I casually shared in 2015 when he visited Zimbabwe. His love for art led us to Mbare township, in Harare, at the time a somewhat dangerous place in search of African art. I think there is still some art pieces in London that I meant to give Chris. Chris had become part of my family
June 17, 2025
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Chris Roles, Managing Director of Age International. Mr. Roles was a compassionate leader, a tireless advocate, and a true champion for the rights and dignity of older people worldwide. His unwavering commitment, integrity, and vision inspired many people and institutions like ours, leading to lasting change in the lives of countless older adults.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. His legacy will continue to guide us in the pursuit of a more inclusive and just world for all older persons.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. His legacy will continue to guide us in the pursuit of a more inclusive and just world for all older persons.
made with 
Français
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Português
Magyar
Русский
繁體中文