RNID appoints Mark Atkinson as Chief Executive

8 August 2018

National charity RNID has appointed Mark Atkinson as its new Chief Executive following Paul Breckell’s departure. Mark, currently Chief Executive at Scope will join the UK’s largest charity for people living with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss later in 2018, taking over from the Interim Chief Executive Mike O’Connor.

Mark joins RNID after five years with Scope where he has led the development of a bold new strategy focusing on driving social change to achieve a society where all disabled people enjoy equality and fairness. Prior to Scope, Mark has worked in a number of leadership roles for Local Government Association, Citizens Advice, Youth Sport Trust and Ambitious about Autism.

RNID’s Chair of Trustees, John Morgan, said: “We’re delighted that Mark will be coming on board as Chief Executive. His extensive knowledge and experience in the charity sector, and with disability specifically, will be hugely welcome as we drive forward with our ambitious strategy.”

Mark Atkinson said: “I am delighted to be joining RNID at such an important time in the history of this remarkable organisation. For over a hundred years the charity has been championing the rights of people living with deafness and hearing loss. In recent years there have been major successes from amending the Digital Economy Bill requiring Broadcasters to provide subtitles for on-demand content to funding hugely exciting developments in biomedical research.

“It is this kind of work that made me delighted to be offered the opportunity to drive forward the charity’s ambitious new strategy.

“There is still a lot more to be done to ensure that the millions of people in the UK living with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss enjoy the same opportunities and have equal access to services and technology as their hearing peers. I look forward to ensuring that RNID is at the forefront of creating a more equal and just society.”

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