NRCPD CEO to step down in autumn ahead of regulator’s new strategy

The Chief Executive Officer of NRCPD, Marcus Hawthorn, is to step down later this year, as he says it is time for “new leadership” at the organisation.

Mr Hawthorn has headed the voluntary regulator of communication professionals since 2018 and announced the news on Tuesday, amid the body’s ongoing consultation on its fitness to practice procedures.

The new proposals are now out for consultation until noon on 22 August.

He said: “I have taken, what is undoubtedly, the hardest professional decision I have ever made to step downlater this year from my role as CEO of NRCPD.

“After nearly four and a half years leading NRCPD’s transformation, I am enormously proud of what we have achieved and privileged to have played my part. Leading NRCPD and its dedicated staff has been a highlight of my professional life.

“The work we are engaged in now will continue, but with development of our next strategy due to begin, I think this is the right time for new leadership to take NRCPD to the next stage of its development.

“Sharing this news now allows time for recruitment and a smooth handover to the next Chief Executive.”

NRCPD’s chair, Liz Duncan, is to lead the recruitment of Mr Hawthorn’s successor, with details around the application process set to be made available soon.

Earlier this year, there was public criticism of the NRCPD’s handling of complaints, with a report by The Limping Chicken finding that a quarter of disputes handled in the last decade weren’t investigated by their complaints committee for “public interest” reasons.

Photo: NRCPD.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.