The director of The Henry Smith Charity is stepping down after 15 years with the grant-maker.
Nick Acland, who has led the charity for 10 years and was a trustee for five years before that, will leave the role in May.
The Henry Smith Charity, which was founded in 1628, is one the UK’s largest grant-makers, helping people facing financial disadvantage.
Acland said: “Having led the organisation through the lockdown, and overseen a significant increase in our grantmaking, now feels the right time to step down.”
The charity made grants worth £42m in the year to December 2020, up from about £33m in both 2019 and 2018, according to the latest accounts published with the Charity Commission.
Acland said: “During my time at Henry Smith, I have had the good fortune of meeting many wonderful people who work selflessly to provide support to a wide range of people at a time of need.
“Seeing their commitment and dedication has been truly inspiring and being able to provide funds to help them in their work has been a great privilege.”
Vivienne Dews, the chair of trustees at The Henry Smith Charity, said that Acland had seen the organisation through “a period of significant growth in grant-giving for the charity, and through the testing times of the Covid-19 pandemic. He will be missed greatly, and leaves with our grateful thanks and very best wishes.”
A spokesperson said Acland was “taking time to consider his options” for what to do next.
The charity said it would begin advertising for its next director in the near future.
