Malcolm Walker 1-web

Iceland’s founder and executive chairman Malcolm Walker

Iceland’s founder and executive chairman has said he will make the supermarket the “UK’s number one dementia-friendly retailer” after being appointed an Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador.

Sir Malcolm Walker has vowed to champion the rights of people with dementia in his new role.

The Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation has donated £14 million to dementia charities, including £10 million to a new UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London.

The announcement coincides with the Alzheimer’s Society’s first ever national Dementia Action Week, from 21 until 27 May.

“When I decided to get Iceland involved, I thought it would be a hard sell but in fact it wasn’t,” said Sir Malcolm.

“Quite the reverse. I quickly discovered that almost every colleague and customer knows someone affected by dementia now, or has been in the past.

“I am very proud to be an ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society. My hope is that with our fundraising, and by joining Dementia Friends, Iceland will help to make life a little easier for those affected by dementia.”