JEWISH social care charity The Fed has announced that its chairman Mark Adlestone will step down after 10 years in the role.

Under his stewardship the Fed has undergone a remarkable period of expansion and evolution including becoming a community hub and witnessing the opening of a new state-of-the-art dementia unit.

Mr Adlestone also oversaw the merger of the old Federation of Jewish Services with the Heathlands Village nursing and residential home in Prestwich, in 2009.

CEO of the Fed, Mark Cunningham said: “Mark Adlestone has been an outstanding and inspirational leader.

“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to him for enabling the organisation to deliver the incredible changes we have seen over the past 10 years.”

Mr Adlestone will be succeeded by Bernard Yaffe, board member and trustee of Heathlands Village and the charity's current treasurer, after their AGM in November.

Married to wife Cheryl and father to daughters, Ilana and Georgina, Mr Yaffe is no stranger to the boardroom having made his career at the Kelloggs Company.

Rising to become vice president of finance and business development, Europe at the firm Mr Yaffe still chairs Kellogg's UK pension fund, as well as holding a number of non-executive director roles.

He is also actively involved in several community organisations including serving as treasurer to the Manchester Maccabi and North West Friends of Israel.

Mr Cunningham said: “I am delighted at the opportunity to work even more closely with Bernie, who has been highly instrumental in the development of our services and upgrade of facilities.”

Mr Yaffe said: “I am extremely proud and honoured to have been asked to lead what is undoubtedly one of the finest care organisations in the country.

"This task is made so much easier by having a wonderful supportive Board of Trustees, including Mark Adlestone who will remain as a Trustee, continuing to bring his wealth of communal experience to the table, and our superbly dedicated management, staff and volunteer body.”

Mr Yaffe also said he is looking forward to taking on the future challenges to be faced by The Fed, adding: “Despite everything we have achieved, we can’t rest on our laurels.

"With continued uncertainty over local authority funding and rapidly changing demographics, we need to do everything we can to ensure we are adapting to meet the diverse and changing needs of our community, in an optimal and efficient manner.”