Paul Farmer, charity leader

Paul Farmer is a charity leader who has spent his life campaigning, fundraising and changing the national conversation around some of the most challenging issues in our society. Currently at the helm of Age UK, he previously spent 16 years as the CEO of Mind, the UK’s largest mental health charity.

Paul was born in Oxford, the son of a former Benedictine monk and a former nun. He read history at St Peter’s College, Oxford, where he met his future wife, Claire. After graduating, he found a role working for a heritage centre and fell in love with the charity sector, moving to the Samaritans. His experiences taking calls from those struggling with their mental health awakened a passion for working in the mental health sector.

In 2006 he moved Mind, where he became CEO. He led a fifteen-year campaign that helped to change legislation, and the national conversation around mental health. For the past few years, he has campaigned for older people as Chief Executive at Age UK, and encouraged the public to prepare and plan for a happier, healthier later life.

Paul lost his wife, Claire, to cancer in 2019. He lives in West London.

DISC ONE: Think - Aretha Franklin

DISC TWO: Part of the Agnus Dei from the Mass for Five Voices, performed by The Sixteen with Harry Christophers conducting - William Byrd

DISC THREE: Don’t Leave Me This Way - The Communards

DISC FOUR: Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South

DISC FIVE: Feeling Good - Nina Simone

DISC SIX: Into My Arms - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

DISC SEVEN: Drunk Surfer - Westside Cowboy

DISC EIGHT: Sunshine on Leith - The Proclaimers