Fiona Reynolds is to leave the National Trust after 11 years as director general of the organisation.

Reynolds has announced the decision today and leaves to take up post as the first female Master of Emmanuel College at Cambridge University in autumn next year.

Over her time at the National Trust the organisation has seen significant growth in its number of members, visitors and volunteers. Visitor numbers nearly doubled between 2001 and 2011 to reach 19m and the number of volunteers doubled also to reach 62,000.

Reynolds said she was “incredibly proud” of the organisation’s progress over her tenure. “There is no organisation like it and I will miss it terribly.”

Reynolds, with an 'open arms' approach to conservation, also oversaw the National Trust promote itself as part of an outdoor, active lifestyle and allow the creation of 1,000 new allotments on its land.