The director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) will leave the organisation in March, it's been announced.
Dr Adam Marshall has been in the role for five years, and part of the leadership team for almost 12 years.
Dr Marshall has not revealed his future plans, and the BCC said the search for his successor will be assisted by Dominic Schofield, managing partner of the board, and his team at search agency Korn Ferry.
BCC said Dr Marshall leaves the organisation with an "enhanced profile", stable financial position, strong governance - and a record number of female leaders among its executive and non-executive leadership.
Don't miss a thing - sign up for your free North West newsletter - and follow us on LinkedIn
Email newsletters
BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the North West- and you can stay in touch with all the latest news from Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria through our email alerts.
You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss.
Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
For all the latest stories, views, polls and more - and the news as it breaks - .
Dr Marshall said: “Chamber business communities represent the best of British business. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this civic-minded, passionate, and purposeful network for nearly twelve years.
"I feel the time is right to hand over to a great successor who will continue the fight for our business communities during the period of renewal ahead.”
The chamber said that working closely with the board, Dr Marshall will remain at the helm over the coming months and will ensure a "smooth and effective transition" with his successor.
He will leave the organisation with the "respect and gratitude of the board, staff, chambers and members across the Ƶ and worldwide", a statement said.
BCC chair Sarah Howard MBE said: “I know I speak for so many chamber members, both here in the Ƶ and across the world, when I say that Adam will be missed.
"He took over at a time of great uncertainty but has led BCC confidently to its strongest position in years. Chambers have never been more relevant or more necessary than they are today and together with the BCC Board, I will be leading a search over the coming weeks to identify a suitable successor to build on the BCC’s achievements and lead the organisation into the future.”
BCC President Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE added: “Adam’s commitment to Ƶ businesses, communities and diversity is one of many reasons I was excited to become President of BCC this year.
"He has dedicated great energy and passion to the organisation, and leaves the BCC and the Chamber Network in a stronger position at this critical moment for our businesses and for our country.”
