World Vision’s chief executive Justin Byworth has announced he will step down at the end of the year after 26 years at the charity, including five in the top role.

Byworth joined the charity as a graduate trainee in 1988. During his time as chief executive he grew the charity’s income from £58m to over £70m.

He worked with the organisation around the world, including Mauritania and Cambodia where he led World Vision programmes for much of the 1990s.

He has said he will step down for the time being, but has not ruled out returning to the charity in another role.

World Vision UK’s current finance and risk director, Tim Pilkington, will step in as acting chief executive from January 2015 until a replacement is found.

“It has been a privilege to lead the organisation through a time when our impact, influence and income has grown and deepened,” said Byworth.

“After many incredible and life-changing years, I am looking forward to a time of rest and renewal, before deciding what lies ahead for me, whether within World Vision or elsewhere.”

Mark Sheard, chair of the board of World Vision UK, said Byworth’s leadership has helped the charity make “great progress” and enhance its influence around the world.

“Under his leadership, we have seen World Vision make great progress, including income growth, enhanced influence in many of the places where the well-being of the world’s poorest children is decided and a strengthened ability to evidence the real change for children that World vision has been able to effect,” said Sheard.