Nigel Harris is to step down as chief executive of Christian international development charity Tearfund after almost a decade in the role. 

The charity said Harris, who will leave at the end of June, said he intended to take some time away to determine his next steps. 

Tearfund said Harris had led the charity to focus on the key role the local church can play in humanitarian response and development.

“He will leave Tearfund having established a bold vision to equip 250,000 churches around the world to support communities to lift themselves out of poverty,” the charity said.

Anna Laszlo, chair of Tearfund, said Harris had led the charity into a “place of focus and clarity” on its role in a crowded market place.

“Nigel has been an extraordinary servant leader over the last nine years,” Laszlo said.

“He will leave us with a vision that promises to transform the lives of millions around the world, through the work of the local church, supported by Tearfund.”

The charity made more than 100 people redundant in the year to the end of March 2024 as it moved away from high-level policy work to focus on more locally-led influencing

Tearfund said Harris had always planned to step down at this time. 

“Nigel will then take some time away with his family and consider his next steps, but he is likely to focus on trustee and governance roles within the sector,” the charity said.

“He's been a passionate supporter of Tearfund for 35 years and will continue to be so.”

 Harris, who was previously chief executive of the sustainable farming charity Farm Africa,  said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my working life to lead this extraordinary organisation. 

“After being a supporter for many years it has been an honour to be CEO.”