London broker Braemar Shipping Services is looking for a new chairman after David Moorhouse announced his retirement.
It said the CBE had told the company he was stepping down after 14 years as a director, with the last three as chairman.
He will leave on 31 December.
But Moorhouse has said he will serve longer if required to allow for the recruitment of a suitable replacement.
His retirement is part of a planned reduction in his business workload so that he can participate in another venture, Braemar said.
Moorhouse said: "It has been a privilege to serve Braemar and its shareholders since 2005, during which time the group has developed substantially and undergone significant changes, becoming a global leader in the provision of broking and advisory services to the maritime industry.
"I believe that this is an appropriate stage in the company's development for me to hand over to a new chairman."
Chief executive James Kidwell said: "David has been a wonderful servant of the group for many years and we have benefited greatly from his invaluable advice and broad industry knowledge.
"I have especially appreciated his steadfast leadership as chairman of the group over the last three years and, on behalf of the board, wish David well for the future."
Until December 2010, Moorhouse was the chairman of Lloyd’s Register and had been chief executive there from 1999 to 2007.
He has plenty of other roles to keep him busy, among them being directorships at Sovcomflot and James Fisher.
