Jason Knauf will leave The Royal Foundation at the end of December 2021, having been chief executive since September 2019.
He will remain in post until the end of 2021 “before a planned international relocation that has necessitated his decision to stand down”, the charity said.
The process for recruiting a new chief executive will begin in the coming weeks.
Knauf has worked with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for seven years and first joined as communications secretary at Kensington Palace in February 2015.
He also led a review of the foundation’s role and structure from March 2019 before becoming chief executive.
In his time as chief executive, Knauf has overseen the development and launch of The Earthshot Prize and continued development of The Duchess’ work on early childhood.
Knauf also helped steer the foundation’s response to Covid-19, establishing a response fund which saw £1.8m granted to causes supporting frontline workers and the mental health needs of the nation in August 2020.
Knauf said working with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge “has been the privilege of my career”.
He added: “I will always be grateful for the opportunity I have had to support their leadership in the UK and internationally. The months ahead will be the busiest time in the foundation’s history with the first awards for The Earthshot Prize and more progress on our early childhood work. We have a lot to do with our amazing team and all of our partners.”
At the start of 2021, The Royal Foundation began a new strategy.
Lord Hague, chair of The Royal Foundation, said: “The Royal Foundation has benefited significantly from Jason’s leadership over the past two years. Working with the Duke and Duchess and the rest of the foundation team, he has delivered impact on the issues that their Royal Highnesses care most about while steering the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring that support reaches those who have been most affected.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Jason and wish him well in the future. As the search for a new chief executive begins, I am looking forward to continuing to build on the inspiring work that has been done over recent years.”
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