ENGLISHTourist Board chief executive Tim Bartlett is to step down on April 30 – just a month before ETB chairman David Quarmby is due to quit.
The departures, which coincide with a Government-driven shake-up of the organisation, could leave the ETB leaderless while replacements are being sought.
However, the ETB plans to plug the gap by making operations director Elaine Noble acting chief executive from May 1.
Bartlett, who has not yet got another job, said he was leaving because his expertise lay in international promotion, and his present skills would be unsuited to the work of the ETB following the changes.
The new, streamlined body is to have a more strategic role in future, while the English regions will be given marketing control.
Quarmby is stepping down as ETB chairman on May 31, but he has been reappointed chairman of the BTA for a further three years (Travel Weekly February 24).
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is responsible for replacing Quarmby, said the selection procedure was underway, but admitted it may not be complete before he leaves.
The incoming chairman and the ETB board will then choose a new chief executive. The department claimed the changes in management would have no impact on the re-organisation of the ETB.