Smith has held the role of director general since 2017 and will be chair of Origin, ISBA’s prototype cross-media audience measurement platform.

ISBA said it was looking to appoint a new director general in due course, with a nominations committee appointed from ISBA’s council and officers reporting to its president, Pete Markey, and August Leadership carrying out the search.

Markey said: “We would like to thank Phil for the drive and purpose he has brought to ISBA over the last eight years.

“We are committed to find strong leadership to continue to energise ISBA and look forward to working with Phil as he brings to fruition the answer to advertisers’ demand for accountable cross-media measurement.”

Smith added: “Serving ISBA’s members has been the best role of my career. I look forward to focusing my efforts on driving the success of Origin and will support the nominations committee in every way I can in finding an energetic new director general to take ISBA as an agent of positive change to the next level.”