The chief executive of the social care charity Affinity Trust is retiring after 18 years in the role.

Leo Sowerby will leave the charity next spring after 52 years in the social care sector.

Affinity Trust, which was previously called Thames and Chiltern Trust, was established in 1991 and provides social care to people with learning disabilities, autism and other assessed needs.

Sowerby became Affinity Trust’s chief in 2006, before which he was chief executive of  the mental health charity Hammersmith and Fulham Mind for two years.

He also spent five years as a regional director at the learning disability charity Mencap, before which he was the Richmond Fellowship’s national director of operations for seven years.

Affinity Trust said Sowerby had “played a key role in the charity’s impact, enhancing the quality of support and championing the rights and inclusion of people with learning disabilities”.

It added that during his tenure, the charity had expanded its support to nearly 1,000 people and established a “strong reputation for personalised care and creative delivery of support”.

Sowerby said: “It has been a privilege to lead Affinity Trust and to work alongside such an exceptional team. Together, we have achieved great things for the people we support, and I am immensely proud of our progress.

“As I step away after 52 years of working in the social sector, I am confident that the organisation will continue to thrive and uphold its commitment to the people we support, their families and the communities where we work.”

Tanya Barron, chair of Affinity Trust, said: “Leo’s leadership has been transformative for Affinity Trust. His vision and dedication have not only strengthened our organisation but have also made a significant impact on the wider sector. 

“We are incredibly grateful for his service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

The charity said its board had started its search for a new chief executive, adding that it would “collaborate closely” with Sowerby during the transition period.