The chief executive of a local voluntary sector umbrella organisation has announced she is taking early retirement because of ill-health.

Tracy Rudling has been at Colchester-based Community360 for the past 31 years, including 14 as chief executive.

In a LinkedIn post, Rudling said “the time [was] right” to focus on her health and that the decision allowed her to spend more time with her family.

In April, the Charity Commission said it had opened a compliance case into Community360 after it was revealed the charity paid Rudling a loan of more than £200,000.

Accounts filed with the regulator showed the loan, worth £206,341, was paid to Rudling during the financial year to the end of March 2023.

The charity, which works to promote voluntary action and participation with local residents through its networks, told Third Sector the loan was repaid in full as of the end of March 2024 and that it yielded an additional £11,600 for the charity in interest.

It is understood the regulator's compliance case remains open. 

Rudling joined the charity in 1993 as its finance manager, spending 12 years in the role before becoming its deputy chief executive in 2005.

She was promoted to chief executive in 2010 and said it was an honour and a privilege to lead a “fantastic organisation” and work alongside such “dedicated and passionate” colleagues.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together – when I took over as chief executive in March 2010, the charity was turning over £300,000 and we had a workforce of 13,” Rudling said.

“Last year we finalised our books at £5m and offered paid employment to 115 local people.

“The emotions are mixed, as you can imagine, but the summer proved very difficult for me and my immune system, so I am taking some much-needed rest. 

“I am so proud of all that we have achieved, from providing vital support to our community throughout the pandemic to establishing the One Colchester Hub to create a welcoming space for residents to access our services, and to tackling social isolation by expanding our community transport offering across Essex.”

Rudling said she would remain in post for the next six months to ensure a smooth transition as the charity looks for her successor.

Stewart Thomson, chair of Community360, said: “As we begin our search for a new chief executive, I would like to thank Tracy for her invaluable and dedicated contribution to the charity over the past 31 years, and wish her all the best for this new chapter.

“Tracy has led our charity with the utmost care and passion for improving the wellbeing of the people we support, and we will remain forever grateful for her dedication to Community360’s mission.

“We are committed to finding a successor who will guide the charity forward and will build on the strong foundation established by Tracy’s leadership. 

“Our priority will always be to help people to access the resources they need in order to thrive, and we will continue to serve our community by working in close collaboration with our partners to support vulnerable people across Essex.”