Tony Allen – Chair

Tony Allen MDS UK - Chair

Tony Allen is a chartered accountant by profession.

Born in Yorkshire in 1950, he attended St Bede’s Grammar School (as it was then) in Bradford, and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied economics.

He moved to London after graduating and joined the accounting/consulting firm PwC in 1972 advising UK and international clients. He was for five years a member of its Management Board.

Since retiring in 2005, Tony has worked on a voluntary basis as a trustee with a number of charities, including The Wigmore Hall (1999-2021), where he chaired its Finance Committee, and the Chislehurst Society (2006-2018), where he was chairman for ten years.

Tony has written and published a number of books on the history and people of Chislehurst.

Tony was diagnosed with MDS in 2020, and is a patient at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill. He is married to Marion.

After four years as Chair of MDS UK, in September 2025 Tony stepped back from the role to spend more time with his family.  Former Interim CEO, Debbie Hickman, said of working with Tony,

‘I could not have asked for a more supportive and inspiring Chair to work with. Tony brought level-headedness and balance to every situation, and it was a pleasure to work alongside him. MDS UK would not be where it is today had it not been for Tony’s steadfast leadership and commitment over the last few years’.

Tony is succeeded in the role by Lin Holder, who has served as Vice Chair and Treasurer for the last four years.  Lin, CEO Blossom Bell, MDS UK staff, volunteers and trustees wish to express their sincere thanks to Tony for all he has done for MDS UK over the last four years, and to wish him a long, happy and peaceful retirement.