Greg Clarke is to stand down from his role as chairman of the Football League at the end of the 2015/16 season, the organisation announced on Wednesday.
Clarke was appointed in March 2010 and will remain in the post until the Football League's Annual General Meeting on June 10 next year.
The Football League board has agreed a process for identifying Clarke's successor which will start in January. I ndependent directors Richard Bowker and Debbie Jevans will head a nomination committee to also include a board representative from each of the organisations three divisions, with a new chairman expected to be appointed before the end of the current campaign.
Clarke said: "It has been a tremendous privilege to serve Football League clubs over the last six years, they are very much the heart and soul of football in this country.
"I leave with the Football League in excellent health and with solid foundations in place.
"Our clubs are largely in better financial shape, there is a greater solidarity between our three divisions and we have a cohesive board that is providing progressive leadership to our members.
"Therefore, it is exactly the right time to pass on the baton to my successor. I wish them every success and hope they get as much enjoyment and satisfaction from this role as I have."
Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey added: " Greg has provided excellent leadership and I would like to offer my grateful thanks on behalf of our member clubs.
"Typically, having made this decision, his only thought was to ensure that the board had sufficient time to identify and recruit a replacement ahead of his departure so as to ensure a smooth transition."
Source: PA
