Disabilities charity Sense’s chief executive Richard Kramer is to take early retirement and will leave the role in January 2025.

He says the move comes after spending 40 years volunteering or working in the disability sector. He is to relocate to Cornwall and spend more time with his partner.

Kramer joined Sense in 2013 as deputy chief executive, before becoming CEO in 2018.

He is a previous director of Turning Point, head of campaigns at Mencap and parliamentary manager at the NCVO.

In addition, he is a trustee of the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion and a director of the Whitefield Academy Trust.

“I have thought long and hard about this decision,” he said.

“This is the right decision for me, and it is an opportunity for Sense. I am also extremely confident that Sense will benefit from the fresh perspective of a new CEO, and that they will come up with different and even better opportunities for its next phase of its journey.”

He added: “It has been challenging to make this decision to leave and communicate it to my Trustees, the Executive Team, and the Leadership Team, and now the rest of the organisation.

“This has been the hardest bit. I have an incredible job at the most wonderful charity that I feel so passionate about.

“I have genuine and conflicting reasons about leaving Sense. I also have mixed feelings about what happens next, which range from excitement to fear. Sense has been good for my wellbeing.

“It has given me a real sense of security, purpose, and self of worth. I intend to hold onto those hard-fought strengths as I pursue new and quite different activities.”

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