Learning disability charity Mencap has appointed three executive directors to its leadership team.
It has hired Chris Chalkley as executive director of personal support services for England, Laura Rees as executive director of people and Mary Mawhinney as executive director of governance and company secretary.
These appointments follow Jon Sparkes taking over as the charity’s chief executive in June, its first permanent CEO since Edel Harris left last year.
Sparkes said: “These appointments will be crucial to progressing Mencap’s work to ensure people with a learning disability get the very best, empowering support, enabling them to engage fully in communities, employment, sport and other activities.
“This is underpinned by a truly values-based culture and strong governance.
“Over the next year, we will refresh our strategy, bringing further focus on ensuring the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK live happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives on their terms.”
Chris Chalkley
Since February, Chalkley has been serving as Mencap’s interim executive director of personal support services for England.
Chalkley is now taking up the role permanently where he will oversee the delivery of personal support to over 4,000 people with a learning disability in Mencap services.
He first joined Mencap in 1991 as a volunteer and progressed through front-line support worker roles to manage services and hold senior positions leading on quality and business development.
“I am excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to continue leading and developing the work that the Mencap personal support team is doing towards ensuring that the people we support are able to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives,” he said.
Laura Rees
Rees joins Mencap from the British Red Cross, where she was senior director of people.
She will lead all aspects of the charity’s people operations, including HR, volunteering and work on equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Rees said: “I am excited to be joining the Mencap family and look forward to working with my team to ensure Mencap’s people have the best possible opportunities to do great work with people with a learning disability, within an inclusive environment that encourages everyone to be themselves.”
Mary Mawhinney
Mawhinney also previously worked for British Red Cross, as its chief of staff, and has spent her career working alongside leaders in government and the charity sector.
She will work with the charity’s Voices Council – a group of 12 people with a learning disability who share their views and experiences to support senior decision-making – and will oversee the work of Mencap’s governance team, legal team and the Mencap Trust Company.
Mawhinney said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the brilliant team at Mencap and can't wait to get started.”
Editor's note: This article was amended on 20 September to clarify that these are existing roles rather than newly created roles.
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