Mark Atkinson is stepping down as chief executive of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) and moving to the Royal British Legion (RBL), the charities have announced.
Atkinson, who has led RNID for five years, will be joining the RBL as director general in early 2024.
Charles Byrne will step down as RBL director general this month after 10 years at the charity and its executive director of services Antony Baines will be interim director general until Atkinson joins.
Harriet Oppenheimer will take over as RNID chief executive, having been promoted from her current role as deputy CEO.
Atkinson: ‘I look forward to seeing RNID grow and flourish’
At RNID, Atkinson has overseen the charity’s shift away from delivering care and support services to an organisation lobbying for social change.
This shift, which involved the sale of several services, led to RNID’s income falling from £42.7m in 2019-20 to £23.2m in the year to March 2023.
The charity also changed its name back to RNID from Action on Hearing Loss in 2020 and announced in 2021 that all its staff would work remotely after permanently closing its offices.
“I leave RNID with an enormous sense of pride at the progress we have made over the last five years and the impact we are achieving through our new strategy,” said Atkinson.
“It has been a real honour to lead such a passionate and talented team, and work for a cause that touches so many people’s lives in different ways.
“I’ve worked closely with Harriet for the last three years and know that her drive, energy and strategic vision for RNID will see the organisation continue to grow its reach and impact.
“I couldn’t be leaving this vital charity in safer hands, and look forward to seeing RNID grow and flourish over coming years.”
On joining RBL, Atkinson said: “It makes a profound difference to so many lives every day through its welfare work, campaigning, and as champions of remembrance.
“It is a huge honour and responsibility to lead the organisation and to ensure it continues to meet the needs of those who have served our country.”
Oppenheimer: ‘A huge privilege’
Oppenheimer said: “I am thrilled to take on the role of chief executive of this great charity for the next phase of our growth.
“Mark has been an outstanding chief executive for RNID. Speaking both personally and on behalf of us all, we will miss his vision and leadership, but he leaves behind a thriving organisation. I wish him every success in his future role.
“It’s a huge privilege to be asked to lead this ambitious team of talented people, supported by a strong board of trustees.
“Together, we will end the discrimination faced by our communities, help people hear better now and fund world-class research that will restore hearing and silence tinnitus in the future.”
RNID chair Ewen Stevenson said Oppenheimer “has been a pivotal part of the leadership and strategic direction of the charity for the last three years”.
“Myself and the rest of the board look forward to working with her over the coming months and years as we increase our impact and make more strides forward for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus,” he said.
“I would like to thank Mark for his tremendous contribution to RNID since joining in 2018. RNID has been transformed under his leadership.
“Mark leaves behind a strong legacy. Over his five years as CEO he has taken a 112 year old charity and created a modern, digital-first organisation, setting us on a strong strategic path which will continue to deliver impact for our communities for years to come.”
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