Tim Lamb, chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA), has announced his intention to retire from the post in February 2014.

He will step down after eight years in the role and his decision follows a programme of modernisation at the alliance - which included an agreement by its board to a new strategic direction and the negotiation of a new, in-principle three-year funding deal with Sport England.

SRA chair Andy Reed said: "Tim's tenure has been marked by a real period of modernisation and increased professionalism, reflecting the needs of our broad and diverse membership.

"From re-naming and re-branding the organisation, through managing an office move, to leading a process of significant internal structural change, Tim has overseen a period for the Alliance which has created an organisation fit for the members it serves and for the changing face of sport and recreation in the 21st century."

Lamb added: "I've been considering retirement since I turned 60 earlier this year, but the time now feels right to hand over to somebody else.

"The Alliance's funding is secure, our board has agreed on a new strategic direction for the organisation and, with the Olympic and Paralympic cycle beginning again, it feels like a good time to sign off."