Action on Hearing Loss appoints Mark Atkinson as chief executive

09 August 2018

National charity Action on Hearing Loss has appointed Mark Atkinson as its new Chief Executive following Paul Breckell’s departure.

Mark, currently chief executive at Scope, will join the UK’s largest charity for people living with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss later in 2018, taking over from the interim chief executive Mike O’Connor.

Mark joins Action on Hearing Loss after five years with Scope where he has led the development of a bold new strategy focusing on driving social change to achieve a society where all disabled people enjoy equality and fairness. Prior to Scope, Mark has worked in a number of leadership roles for the Local Government Association, Citizens Advice, Youth Sport Trust and Ambitious about Autism.

Action on Hearing Loss chair of trustees John Morgan said: “We’re delighted that Mark will be coming on board as chief executive. His extensive knowledge and experience in the charity sector, and with disability specifically, will be hugely welcome as we drive forward our ambitious strategy.”

Mark Atkinson added: “I am delighted to be joining Action on Hearing Loss at such an important time in the history of this remarkable organisation. For over 100 years the charity has been championing the rights of people living with deafness and hearing loss. In recent years there have been major successes from amending the Digital Economy Bill requiring broadcasters to provide subtitles for on-demand content to funding hugely exciting developments in biomedical research. It is this kind of work that made me delighted to be offered the opportunity to drive forward the charity’s ambitious new strategy.

“There is still a lot more to be done to ensure that the millions of people in the UK living with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss enjoy the same opportunities and have equal access to services and technology as their hearing peers. I look forward to ensuring that Action on Hearing Loss is at the forefront of creating a more equal and just society.”

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