CEO to retire after 19 years

The Chief Executive Officer of national charity Dyslexia Scotland, Cathy Magee OBE, has announced she is to retire

She said: “I recently announced to our President and Board of Directors my intention to retire as Chief Executive of Dyslexia Scotland at the end of March 2027. My decision to retire has not been an easy one to make, as it has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to lead Dyslexia Scotland over the past 19 years.

“I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by wonderful people during that time – a fantastic, small team of staff, a supportive, expert and visionary President and Board of Directors, our amazing Ambassadors and our wider team of volunteers working at national and local levels across Scotland and of course the dyslexia community we work with. None of this would be possible without the funders, donors and other supporters who contribute to Dyslexia Scotland. 

“The ongoing dedication, commitment and passion of all these people to the dyslexia community never ceases to amaze me. I am stepping down while I have the energy to enjoy my retirement, but when the time comes, I will be very sad to leave this post.”

Chair of Dyslexia Scotland, Peter Lederer CBE, said: “Cathy leaves a strong legacy and will be greatly missed. The work she has led in Scotland has affected a significant shift change at policy level – felt at classroom level.

“I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of everyone at Dyslexia Scotland, to thank Cathy for her unwavering dedication to championing the rights of the dyslexic community.

“The search for a successor is underway. This post is an opportunity for the next leader to reimagine the organisation and elevate it to its next iteration as a force for further national change.

“A formal recruitment process started in early September and will include a handover process to ensure a smooth transition.”

During her tenure, Cathy Magee established Dyslexia Scotland as the ‘go to’ national dyslexia organisation, growing a dedicated staff cohort from three full-time equivalent staff members to eight, and forging effective working relationships with Scottish Government, Education Scotland, GTCS and other national partners.

She was actively involved in the unprecedented Making Sense Review – an independent review of education for children and young people with dyslexia in Scotland – and implementation of its recommendations.

The CEO, who was awarded an OBE in 2025 for services to dyslexia, has culminated her service by successfully doubling the number of places on the ground-breaking Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice Professional Recognition teacher training programme.