Neil Taylor is stepping down as chief executive of special needs charity Langdon for family reasons.

Mr Taylor has a daughter with a severe learning disability and feels that supporting her in her next stage of life needs to be his priority.

He will leave Langdon in March after nearly five years in the role.

Under his leadership, the range of opportunities provided to Langdon members has been expanded as part of a strategy to respond to growing demand. He has also been instrumental in facilitating the planned partnership between Langdon and Kisharon.

“It’s been a privilege to serve our members and their families,” he said. “As a parent of a child with a severe learning disability, I understand the difference a great social care organisation can have on the lives of our children.

“I am proud to have created an exceptional team that is delivering our ambitious strategy to empower, support and care for our members so they can live their best lives.”

He was confident the potential merger with Kisharon would be “the right thing for our members and the community”.

Paying tribute, Langdon chair Nigel Henry said Mr Taylor would be “sorely missed. He has led with warmth, integrity and humour and his professionalism and dedication to serving the community has had a profound impact on the organisation. It has been a privilege working with him.”