The chief executive of the Canal & River Trust is to step down after 12 years in the role. 

Richard Parry, who will leave the waterways charity in the summer, said it was the right time for him to go. 

Parry joined the organisation formerly known as British Waterways a year after it was spun out from the public sector to become an independent charity. 

Before joining the CRT, he was a senior director at the transport company First Group and previously spent 19 years at London Underground and Transport for London.

Parry said it was the right time for him to hand over to a new chief executive to lead the organisation on the next stage of its journey. 

The timing is connected to David Orr, the charity’s chair, being due to start a new three-year term and to allow the incoming chief to build a relationship with the government over the next few years. 

A spokesperson for the charity said Parry expected to be developing plans for his role over the next six months or so. 

“It has been an honour to lead the trust through such a key period, working to build a sustainable future for our historic canal network, increasing the number of people benefitting from it and wider appreciation of its value to the nation,” said Parry. 

“I have loved working with such committed colleagues and a rising number of amazing volunteers who together deliver the ongoing care that the 250-year-old canal infrastructure demands – and making so many friends among those who use our canals and share our passion for them.

“My departure this summer will fit into a cycle of succession, so that David and the new chief executive can look to the longer-term future, including strengthening the trust’s partnership with government with over four years of the current parliamentary term to run.”

Orr said: “Richard has made a fantastic contribution, establishing the trust as a much-admired national charity.  

“He has led the organisation through many challenges and chalked up many achievements over the past 12 years. 

“He has been dedicated to the national treasure that is our canal network, venturing across the country to be a visible, engaging leader.”

The CRT said the recruitment process for Parry’s successor would begin shortly.