Sally Reynolds, the co-founder and chief executive of Social Firms UK, will step down from her role towards the end of the year after a sudden personal loss for her and her children.

Reynolds, who has 12 years experience in the social enterprise sector, will continue to work self-employed next year.

In a statement to members she said she struggled to reach the decision, having given her life, soul and energies to building the Social Firm movement since 1999, but decided it was necessary to take time with her children.

She also added: “The CEO of Social Firms UK needs to be full time, actively and enthusiastically networking, building partnerships, visiting members, able to travel freely around the UK and, when not doing that, in the office leading and motivating the staff. I am now unable to do any of those things; I need to be home-based and available for my kids first and foremost, with a job that fits in. So, from January next year I will become self employed; still involved with the movement, but cheering on from the sidelines rather than leading it.”

Social Firms UK, which is the national support agency for social enterprises committed to employing people at greatest disadvantage in the labour market, will be recruiting for a replacement CEO between now and December.