The worldwide professional association for those advising families across generations is seeing the departure of its long-serving chief executive.

David Harvey, the chief executive of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, will step down at the end of June after 15 years in the role. 

Based in London, Harvey has been at the helm since 2001, during which time STEP has gone from around 6,500 members to over 20,000, including lawyers, accountants and other trust and estate specialists.

“During his 15 years as chief executive of the organisation STEP has gone from strength to strength and we wish to thank David for his hard work, vision, and commitment over all of those years. We wish him every success in the future,” said the STEP board in a group statement.

The board added that arrangements to recruit a successor are under way. In the meantime, George Hodgson, deputy CEO of the association, will take the helm on an interim basis. He previously held a senior policy position at the Association of British Insurers and has also served on the staff of the treasury committee of the UK House of Commons.