Tom Flood CBE, chief executive of the Charity Award-winning environmental charity BTCV Group, is to step down in July after a quarter-century working for the organisation.

“After 25 years with BTCV, the past ten of which as chief executive, it now feels the right time for me to hand over the reins to a successor,” he said announcing his departure today. He will not leave the charity for good, however, having agreed to take the voluntary role of vice president upon his exit as CEO.

Under Flood’s leadership, which has lasted almost half of the charity’s life, the BTCV Group has increased its income from £16m to £40m. Rita Clifton, chair of the BTCV board expressed her gratitude: “We obviously understand Tom’s decision to step down after so many successful years at the helm, and are delighted that he has agreed to become a vice president in July. We very much hope that in his new role he will continue to actively support the 2012 Appeal 'Reclaiming Green Places for All' and other initiatives. Tom has made an extraordinary contribution to BTCV and his efforts have been widely recognised.”

A spokeswoman for the charity advised that Flood will continue with his position as chair of Acevo Solutions and would also like to be involved with other charities involving young people in the future. The recruitment process to find Flood’s replacement as CEO will be begin shortly and will be advertised in the next few weeks.

BTCV was launched in 1959 providing opportunities for people to make a difference to the environment around them. In 2011 it was awarded a Charity Award for its work in environment and conservation during its Carbon Army campaign. The campaign was aimed at demystifying climate change and accumulated 3,000 days worth of action throughout its 50th anniversary year, planting 85km of trees and saving over three million food miles by planting fruit and vegetables.