Matt Stringer is to step down as chief executive of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) at the end of the year.

He will officially leave in December. Recruitment for his successor will start in May and it is hoped they will be in post in January 2026.

Stringer joined the charity in 2019 having previously held senior roles in the retail sector, including as UK managing director of Mothercare, managing director of Carphone Warehouse and international operations posts at Marks and Spencer.

“It feels like the right time to pass on the baton,” said Stringer, who plans to semi-retire and pursue non-executive roles and personal interests.

He plans to stay involved with RNIB as a volunteer adding: “I’m immensely proud of leading RNIB through the last six years, continuing our vital work in supporting blind and partially sighted people, and positioning us at the forefront of informing the national debate around eye health and eye care.”

RNIB chair Anna Taylor said: “The charity sector has faced unprecedented challenges over the last six years, between the COVID-19 pandemic, cost-of-living crisis and so much more.

“Matt’s leadership has been instrumental in ensuring RNIB maintained momentum, and relentlessly continued to pursue our goals, reaching more people year-on-year.”

“With Matt at the helm, the charity is financially fit and already making strides with our new strategy.

“Matt has managed our recent organisation-wide transformation expertly and has the full support of the Board in the changes that he has brought about within the organisation to improve it for the better.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Matt for everything he’s done for RNIB and wish him all the very best for the future.”

---