The board of Scope has decided it is the “right time” for chief executive Richard Hawkes to “pass on the leadership of the organisation”, and he will leave at the end of the month.

A statement released today by Andrew Mcdonald, chair of the board, said the board of trustees had reviewed the direction of the organisation over the last six months since he had joined.

“We have agreed it is the right time for Richard to pass on the leadership of the organisation,” he said. “It is the right time for Scope and it is the right time for Richard.”

Hawkes’ last day will be 31 May.

“Richard must take huge credit for the enormous progress we have achieved,” Macdonald said. “On behalf of Scope’s board of trustees I would like to thank Richard for his extraordinary commitment, and we wish him well for the future.”

Hawkes said he had joined Scope at a time when the organisation was “in a difficult place” and that he wished the staff and board the best for the future.

“Today, Scope is a powerful force for change with a resolute focus to improve the lives of disabled people and their families,” he said. “I am leaving the organisation in a position of strength – investing in the transformation of its services and building awareness of its brand and strategy.

“Scope is round the table influencing the big agendas about the future of social care, how best to drive down the extra costs faced by disabled people and how we deliver a lasting change in attitudes towards disability.

“I'm immensely proud of what has been achieved and will look back with great memories. Moving on from Scope won’t be easy but as we enter a new political cycle the timing feels right for me to pass the baton to a new chief executive. I wish Andrew and everyone at Scope the very best for the future.”

Scope will appoint an interim chief executive in early June 2015, pending a permanent appointment later in the year.

Andrew Mcdonald became chair of Scope at the end of last year, succeeding Alice Maynard who had held the post for more than six years.