Jason Feeney CBE will leave the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in June, following two years in the chief executive position.

Feeney has been with the department itself for four years and has promised to continue to oversee the most critical phase of FSA’s preparations for Brexit before stepping down.

Feeney joined FSA as chief operating officer in 2015 before being appointed as chief executive officer in April 2017.

His retirement sees the end of a 38-year career in the Civil Service during which he was awarded a CBE in 2011.

Feeney said: “It has been a really difficult decision. I am incredibly proud of this organisation, and of all we’ve achieved together, particularly to prepare for EU Exit. I’ve been in the Civil Service since I was 18, back in 1981, and it’s been a terrific career.

“I have every reason to be confident that the FSA will go on to even greater things in the future. We’ve got an excellent Chair in Heather and a fantastically capable executive team. The resilience, dedication and passion of the people I’ve had the privilege to work with here is second to none.”

FSA chair, Heather Hancock added: “Jason Feeney has been an outstanding CEO of the FSA, in some of the most challenging years of this department’s existence. His personal leadership on EU Exit and regulatory transformation has been exemplary”.

“I am full of admiration for his achievements and impact whilst with the FSA – with our people, with colleagues across national and local government, and with industry. I speak for the whole FSA board when I say how grateful we are that Jason chose to conclude his distinguished career by leading the FSA into an exciting future.”