Mencap has announced the appointment of Mark Goldring CBE as its new chief executive from November.

He joins from VSO, where he has spent the past nine years as chief executive, and replaces Dame Jo Williams, who announced her retirement earlier this year.

Over the course of his career, Goldring (pictured) has also held positions at Oxfam, DfID, and the United Nations Development Programme.

He was chair of the Revolving Doors Agency until 2005 and has been volunteering for Sense since 2006.

Goldring said it was an exciting time to be joining the learning disability charity.

“Fundamental changes in public policy – with personalisation, employment reform and the debate on the future of adult social care – all present Mencap with a great opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people with a learning disability,” he said.

“I am keen to start working with the Mencap members, staff and trustees to build on Dame Jo’s legacy and take Mencap forward to continue its work as the voice of learning disability.”