Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dave Burnett has announced he will be stepping down after less than a year in the role.
Board chairman Luke Stewart said Mr Burnett's resignation would be effective from March 31.
"Mr Burnett has grown the Chamber membership and offering, while also maintaining theChamber's role as the voice for business in the region.
"Mr Burnett played a major role in securing the recently awarded High Performance Work Initiative programme for the Chamber.
"The Chamber has a vital role in the business community and under Mr Burnett's leadership we have been able to continue to support, educate and represent business in the Tauranga region."
The Chamber of Commerce Board would begin recruitment of a new chief executive, Mr Stewart said.
"Until a new candidate is confirmed for the role, the Chamber of Commerce Board has appointed the current vice-chairperson, Ms Toni Palmer, as interim CEO on a part-time basis."
Mr Burnett took up the role in March last year, succeeding longtime chief executive Max Mason. Mr Burnett said he resigned as he was looking for new challenges in his working life.
"There's nothing more to it, I've just decided to move on."
Nothing was on the horizon yet, he said.
Mr Burnett has 30 years' experience in various roles and industries, including general management, sales and marketing. His positions include lengthy stints at a number of local companies. He was a member of the Institute of Directors, served as a judge for the Lion Foundation Business Experience for a decade, and was a member of Tauranga Sunrise Rotary Club, with a term as president.
