Scope chief executive Mark Hodgkinson has announced he is to leave Scope, the disability and equality charity that he has led for the last seven years.

He steps down at the end of March and will be replaced on an interim basis by the charity’s executive director of services John McLachan, who has been with Scope for 38 years.

“As I reach my 65th birthday, it feels like the right time for both myself, and Scope, to embrace new opportunities,” said Hodgkinson.

During his time at the charity, he oversaw its work to support people with disabilities impacted by the Covid crisis.

“Post pandemic, we have grown our advocacy from two million to over four million disabled people, especially those facing rising energy costs,” he added.

He also oversaw the charity’s campaigning around government disability benefit cuts and a restructuring of its retail estate.

He said: “There remains much to do, but I am proud of what we have achieved together and confident that Scope is well placed for the future.

“I leave Scope with strong government relationships and a large, engaged community of disabled people, cementing its position as the UK’s leading pan-disability charity.

“Thank you to everyone who has been part of that, including colleagues, volunteers, members, trustees, and allies. Thank-you for taking this journey and I wish you all the very best for an equal future!

“There are three months to go before we end this financial year, and I will be focused on seeing us through to closing a successful year end.”

Before joining Scope he worked in senior roles for businesses including HMV, Asda, Virgin and EMI Music. This included six years as chief executive of Virgin Money.

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