THE chief executive of the East of England Development Agency is to step down in the summer. David Marlow announced his decision yesterday after four years with the organisation.

THE chief executive of the East of England Development Agency is to step down in the summer.

David Marlow announced his decision yesterday after four years with the organisation.

Recruitment for his successor will begin shortly.

“After 25 years in public service, I have decided it's time for a change,” he said.

“Being EEDA's chief executive has been a striking highlight of my career in the public sector, and it is hard to imagine another role with such variety and interest.

“So I want to pursue other opportunities, and interests, over the coming year - still with a focus on economic development and public policy, but operating more in consultancy, advice, research and problem-solving roles, perhaps also resuming my interests in overseas development.”

EEDA chairman Richard Ellis paid tribute to Mr Marlow's leadership, saying he had made a “huge personal contribution” to EEDA and the east of England since joining in 2003.

“He has played a major role in moving the economic development of the region forward, and has been a key member of the east of England's 'regional leadership team',” he said.

“Many of the major EEDA's funded developments have moved forward over the same period in, for instance, the expansion of higher education, urban and waterfront development, business support reform, sustainable development and community regeneration, are further testament to his hands-on involvement in the major challenges and opportunities facing the east of England.”

He added that EEDA had created “well over” 10,000 new jobs over the past three years, and that every region had been “positively affected” by EEDA's work.