The Charities Aid Foundation has been left without a communications director following the exit of Mark Webster to concentrate on his freelance career.

The former ITN and Channel 4 journalist had worked at CAF since February 2008 leading the organisation's communications strategy but departed suddenly last week after chief executive John Low waived his notice period.

Webster told Civil Society he had always intended to stay at CAF for three years and that while his departure might appear sudden, he had in fact been planning it for ages. The parting was "entirely amiable" and he and Low would remain firm friends, he added.

Low said that Webster's departure was "sad" but congratulated him on what he had achieved in his time at the organisation: 

"Our whole PR, policy, public affairs, research, corporate and internal communications work has developed significantly during Mark’s time and I’m grateful for all he did for CAF over the past three years which was a transformational period in the organisation’s history," he said. 

However, Low conceded that it was "inevitable" that Webster would be so in demand as to move on, having continued to work outside of CAF during his time there. 

"He will do portfolio-style freelancing while planning his next big job," said Low. "He does a lot of international conference work, coaching and is one of the best media trainers around."

"Given the sensitive nature of our work, we don’t normally ask executive directors to work their notice period," he added.

CAF is now in the process of searching for a replacement who would be expected to build upon Webster's achievements and take CAF through its "ambitious plans for the future", said Low.