Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers director Julie Lithgow OBE has stepped down after nine years heading up the organisation.
Lithgow, who has been an energetic and assertive leader of the Institute, said her time at the ICS had been a "fantastic experience".
"In this time I have been able to meet members and students across the globe, and work on projects that span the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking to the promotion of gender equality within our sector," she said.
"The most meaningful element has been having the privilege to be part of the provision of over 40,000 accessible examinations around the world wherever our students live and work."
An announcement — placed on the Institute's website but not actively distributed through its usual channels — gave no reason for Lithgow's departure.
Her exit comes just two months after she was honoured by the UK government by being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year’s Honours List for services to diversity in the maritime sector.
Lithgow was involved in the Women in Maritime task force led by former shipping minister Nusrat Ghani, who was sacked from her own post by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last month.
Ghani is believed to have paid the price for backing Johnson's rival Jeremy Hunt in last year's Conservative Party leadership race.
Dedication
Lithgow thanked each member of the ICS for "their inspiration and trust in me".
She said: "We run exams for curious, tenacious, courageous students in hundreds of exam centres all over the world because companies give us space in boardrooms, members and fellows volunteer their time to invigilate, and our branches work tirelessly to support and mentor students.
But she said it is the ICS' membership which plays the key part as it is their subscriptions which fund the institute's exam program worldwide, supplying qualified, ethically-minded professionals with universally recognised qualifications to the industry.
ICS president Jeffrey Mountevans thanked Lithgow for "dedication".
"Her integrity and passion for the Institute has shone through across her time leading our organisation and we are grateful that she has agreed to remain in post until a suitable successor is appointed"
ICS chairman Susan Oatway said Lithgow "will be missed" adding that she has played "an integral role" in the development and evolution of the body.
"Her enthusiasm and hard work has brought the Institute firmly in the 21 st century, championing the needs of our members and students across 100 countries and in all maritime disciplines," Oatway said.
The ICS said a new director is expected to be in the post "by the end of the summer".
