Kathryn Rossiter is stepping down as managing director of council chiefs' body SOLACE after eight years to take up a top post in the voluntary sector, The MJ has learned.

A SOLACE spokesman today confirmed Ms Rossiter would stay in post until the end of October – seeing through the society's annual general meeting and summit, before becoming chief executive of a leading disabilities charity based near her home in Reading.

Commenting on her imminent departure, Ms Rossiter said: ‘It will be quite a wrench to leave SOLACE after so long but I feel ready to try something different and this opportunity was just too good to let go by.  The charity works alongside local councils in much of its work so I hope to maintain contact with the many good friends I have made in my years at SOLACE.'

Chair of SOLACE's management board, Derek Myers said: ‘Kathryn has been a fine colleague in SOLACE, first ensuring all our corporate interests were well cared for and more recently stepping up to be in overall control of our staff group and various business interests.'

‘We are indebted to her for her eight years of commitment and are sad to see her go but understand this is a great opportunity for her,' added the joint-chief executive of Kensington and Chelsea RLBC and Hammersmith and Fulham LBC.

The SOLACE board has further confirmed Graeme McDonald, currently policy director,  will become director of SOLACE and executive assistant Debbie Wood will be appointed as director of resources – responsible for business management and membership.