Rural Payments Agency (RPA) Chief executive Mark Grimshaw has announced he will step down after six years in post.

Grimshaw will be replaced by interim Chief Executive Paul Caldwell, who is the Basic Payment Scheme’s Operational Delivery Director.

On Tuesday, Mark Grimshaw said, “It has been a great privilege to have led the RPA and its exceptional people through some major changes.

“Together we created and delivered an ambitious Five Year plan, getting the Agency in the great shape it is today. After six years at the helm I have decided now is the time to stand down and hand over the reins to a new leader to take the organisation through the next phase of its development as part of the Defra Group.”

Commenting after the Chief Executive announced he would be stepping down, Defra’s permanent secretary Clare Moriarty said, “Mark Grimshaw has achieved a huge amount at the Rural Payments Agency and helped deliver substantial improvements in performance for the benefit of our farmers and rural communities.”

She continued, “Paul will ensure that the focus continues to be on delivering remaining payments to all eligible claimants as soon as possible. The RPA has a very experienced leadership team in place who will continue to lead the Agency after Mark’s departure and provide continuity for everyone who uses the Agency’s services.”

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom also said she was “grateful” for Grimshaw’s “Clear Commitment.”

Reacting to the announcement, NFU Vice President Guy Smith said farmers have had a difficult period adjusting to the new Basic Payments Scheme, but added, “During that time we were always mindful that the RPA were not the architects of the IT meltdown in the spring of 2015 that lay at the root of the problems. This was due to mistakes and poor judgement made elsewhere.”

Farming groups have been vocal in their criticism of the RPA’s handling of the new payment scheme, with farmers on holdings straddling borders affected by payment delays, and some farmers still waiting for their 2015 payments. However, Mr Smith said, “Given the gale he had to sail through, Mark has captained the RPA ship well to the point it now seems on an even keel. We are also mindful of the considerable improvement in SPS delivery the RPA showed from 2010 to 2014 under his leadership. We wish him well in his retirement.”