Kirsteen Campbell is to step down as chief executive of the Scottish SPCA after almost eight years in the role. 

Campbell, who will leave the animal welfare charity in May, said she was “exploring other opportunities” before deciding on her next steps. 

The SSPCA said Campbell had “overseen the development of an ambitious new 10-year strategy and vision to make Scotland the best place for an animal to call home”.

It also said that under her leadership the charity had expanded its work to prevent unintentional animal abuse, provided community veterinary support to those most in need, worked with food banks to provide pet food and helped thousands of people and pets to stay together with support.

Campbell said leading the charity had been “one of the greatest honours of my life”. 

She said: “I am so proud of all that our amazing colleagues, volunteers, partners and supporters across Scotland have achieved in our time together, but I have decided that it’s the right time to think about the next stage of my career.”

Fiona Macleod, chair of the SSPCA, said: “The board of trustees and I are enormously grateful to Kirsteen for her outstanding leadership, vision and dedication to the Scottish SPCA over the past eight years.  

“Under her guidance we have achieved significant milestones for animal welfare and strengthened our position as Scotland’s leading animal welfare charity.”

The charity said the process of appointing Campbell’s successor had begun. 

Anna Hart, director of people, culture and transformation at the charity, will become interim chief executive when Campbell steps down.