Tim Rycroft, CEO of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), has decided to step down from his position at the end of 2023.

Rycroft will officially step down in December after serving as CEO of AHDB for the last two years.

Nicholas Saphir, chair of AHDB, said: “Tim has been instrumental in delivering the board’s programme to refocus the organisation in terms of levy payer value and engagement.

“He has led the organisation through significant milestones, including the industry’s largest consultation, Shape the Future, and developing a management team ready to support levy payers in dealing with the challenges that lie ahead.

“Throughout his leadership, Tim has demonstrated a deep commitment to delivering for all levy payers and has embedded a culture that fosters collaboration. The board is very grateful to Tim for his role in further developing a value-based and levy payer-engaged organisation.”

Commenting on the announcement, Rycroft said: “This was a hard decision, but it is rooted in my confidence in AHDB’s future.

“Thanks to great work from the whole team, AHDB has navigated a period of significant change and is now back where it needs to be: facing into the future and clear about how best to serve levy payers and the wider agricultural sector.

“With my mission now nearly accomplished, the end of 2023 is the right time for me to move on.”

AHDB said it will begin the search for Rycroft’s successor soon.