Dawn Austwick is to step down as chief executive of the National Lottery Community Fund at the end of the year.
Austwick, who joined the grant-maker in October 2013 from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, said it was time for her to “seek out new adventures and a different lifestyle”.
She said she had made the decision to step down earlier in the year but put the plans on hold when the coronavirus outbreak hit.
The grant-maker said Austwick had been instrumental in ensuring that people and communities were at the heart of its decision-making and had led the creation and implementation of its strategic framework over the past seven years.
She has also overseen the organisation’s name change from the Big Lottery Fund, which took effect last year.
Austwick, who will turn 60 in December, said: “After seven years at the helm, and with a significant birthday approaching, it is time for me to seek out new adventures and a different lifestyle.
“I will leave the fund at the end of the year in excellent shape and will be very sad to leave my wonderful colleagues and board, but excited about what might lie ahead.
“I remain passionate about the work we do helping people and communities to thrive and fully and energetically committed to leading the fund through the next few months.”
Tony Burton, chair of the NLCF, said: “I am sure I speak on behalf of us all in recognising Dawn’s immense service in strengthening the fund over her seven years.
“Her passion and commitment has paid dividends, and never more so than in the way we have been able to respond to communities in the midst of a national crisis. Her leadership will no doubt leave a positive mark on communities across the UK as the country emerges into recovery and rebuilding.”