RNIB has appointed Matt Stringer as its new permanent chief executive.
He will join at the end of this month having worked in the retail sector for 30 years.
Stringer takes over from Eliot Lyne, who has been interim chief executive since the resignation of Sally Harvey.
She had resigned after the Charity Commission and Ofsted launched investigations into the charity over safeguarding concerns at a children's home.
Lyne joined RNIB as the interim finance director and will continue at the charity until the end of May as part of the handover process.
Last year RNIB launched a new brand and strategy. It also announced it would close the children's home at the centre of investigations.
Eleanor Southwood, chair of RNIB, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Matt to the team. He brings a wealth of experience of leadership in complex organisations that are going through change.
“Eliot has been an outstanding leader for RNIB over the past year and I’m confident that Matt is the right person to lead us into our exciting next chapter.
“Every day 250 people begin to lose their sight. Our staff and volunteers are working with blind and partially sighted people to create a world with no barriers, and we are in a stronger position than ever to make this a reality.”
'Ambitious strategy'
Stringer has held senior leadership roles at well-known high street brands including Marks and Spencer and Carphone Warehouse. Most recently, he worked on business transformation at Mothercare.
Stringer added: “I am very excited about what RNIB can achieve over the next few years, and the part I can play in that.
"With its exciting and ambitious strategy, RNIB is in a powerful position to make real change. Under my leadership, we will seek to be the best we can be for blind and partially sighted people.
“My experience in retail has instilled in me a passion for understanding people’s needs and developing the right products or services to meet them.
“I’m inspired by what I have seen so far and am excited to be getting out to meet staff and blind and partially sighted people in the coming weeks.”
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