Mark Hodgkinson to handover as Chief Executive at the charity Scope

• After 7 years Mark Hodgkinson announces his intention to handover as Chief Executive on the 31st March 2026.
• Executive Director of Services to become interim Chief Executive from 1 April 2026.

Mark Hodgkinson Chief Executive at disability equality charity Scope said:

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

“In 2019, I joined Scope as Chief Executive, taking forward our new strategy focused on everyday equality for disabled people. And later, in 2023, refreshing that strategy with An Equal Future. 
 
“Throughout my time here, I have been privileged to represent the major disability charities, as co-chair of the Disability Charities Consortium and as a sector leader for Disability Confident. 
 
“In 2020, we navigated through the pandemic together, ensuring continued support for disabled people and later highlighted the disproportionate impact on our community in the Covid Inquiry. 

“Post pandemic, we have grown our advocacy from 2 million to over 4 million disabled people, especially those facing rising energy costs.
 
“We successfully campaigned against government cuts to Personal Independence Payments through our Cost of Cuts campaign too. 
 
“Earlier this year, we restructured both our retail estate and then the rest of our teams. A very challenging time but moving us more strongly towards our new operating model and financial stability. 
 
“We have continued to drive efforts to close the Disability Employment Gap, fostering partnerships, including with PurpleSpace and Microsoft, and strengthened Scope’s influence with government and allies. 

“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.”

Scope’s current Executive Director of Services John McLachlan will step in as interim Chief Executive.

John, who has been with Scope for 38 years, will focus on keeping Scope running smoothly and support its Chair Sir Robin Millar CBE through this transition.

For more information contact the Scope press office on 020 7619 7200 or email pressoffice@scope.org.uk

Notes to Editors

We are Scope. We’re here to create an equal future with disabled people. We campaign to transform attitudes to disability, tackle injustice and inspire action. We create opportunities and provide information and support that empowers. One in four of us in the UK are disabled. We are a diverse, proud, and vibrant community. For more information go to www.scope.org.uk