Emma Boggis, chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA), will step down from her role in April.

Boggis was appointed CEO in 2014 and joined SRA from the Cabinet Office, where she was head of the Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Unit, set up in 2012 to support Lord Coe in his role as the Prime Minister’s legacy ambassador.

Following a military career in the British Army, Boggis has also held roles as the private secretary to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and deputy head of mission in the British Embassy in Madrid.

"Given how much fun I have had in my role as CEO, it was never going to be easy to leave SRA," Boggis said.

"But from a personal perspective, spring feels like the right time as I want to be able to work more flexibly to allow time for travel and adventure and to dedicate some more time to non-executive roles.”

Andrew Moss, the SRA chair, added: “We are sad to see Emma leave as she has done a terrific job and repositioned the Alliance as the respected and independent voice of our 325 members.

"We understand that Emma wishes to take her career and life in a different direction and we wish her every success.

"The timing of this announcement allows for an orderly leadership transition and the process of seeking Emma’s successor is already underway.”

Details of the recruitment process to appoint Emma’s successor will be announced at a later date.