Tony Cooper decides to take early retirement


Tony Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), has decided to take early retirement for personal reasons and will leave the agency at the end of July.

Tony, who joined the agency as Interim Chief Executive in May 2006, was confirmed in the position in June 2008.

Speaking of his decision Tony said: "The agency's achievements over the past four years have been significant and I'm proud to have played my part in bringing that improvement about.

"I’d like to thank all my colleagues at RPA for the help and support they have given me and I wish the agency every success as it moves on to the next phase."

The new Chief Executive Officer of RPA will be announced by Defra in the near future.