Hugh Cawley, chief executive officer of Renshaw owner Real Good Food (RGF), is to leave the business.

He is stepping down from the board with immediate effect and will leave the company at the end of the month.

The move follows the restructure of the business over the past year, which has seen RGF sell off four of its divisions to leave it with the Renshaw cake decorations supplier and snack bar manufacturer Brighter Foods. In its latest full-year results the company said the future of the two divisions looked “justifiably bright”.

“The group now comprises two autonomous business units with their own separate strategies, led by the managing director of each respective business unit,” stated RGF.

“The role of group CEO has therefore changed and the board considers the future role will now be a part-time role, complementing the strategic and operational focus of the managing directors of Brighter Foods and Renshaw, with a particular focus on the group’s head office functions and corporate governance.”

RGF added that the search for an executive director to replace Cawley was “well advanced”, and an appointment was expected to be made within a few weeks. In the meantime, chairman Mike Holt has become temporary executive chairman.

Cawley joined RGF two years ago as a non-executive director following the departure of founder Pieter Totté.

"On behalf of the board, we would like to express our thanks to Hugh for his considerable contribution in stabilising the group, helping to improve corporate governance and getting it focused on its two core businesses,” said Holt.

“The group is now fully engaged in growing Brighter Foods and regaining market share for cake decoration. We wish Hugh well for all his future endeavours.”