Avalon (BOP) Inc chief executive and board member James Middleton is stepping down from these positions.

He joined Avalon in 2002 as a part time volunteer before being appointed to a full time business development role.

James Middleton.

There he was instrumental in the establishment of new ventures to enable employment opportunities for the Avalon trainees.

In 2007, James was appointed CEO and as well as leading the organisation his efforts have been focused on developing an empowering organisational culture.

Avalon board chairman Karel Driessen says James has also created successful commercial and vocational business units that will support Avalon's ongoing success.

'During 2011, the board established a strong and well researched direction for Avalon, captured in the 2020 strategic plan and the underlying 2012 business plan, developed by James.

'Those plans and the organisation have now progressed to a stage where James feels it is the right time to move.”

James is due to leave Avalon in February.

'It has been a real privilege to be part of and to lead a team who are deeply committed to the people we serve at Avalon, and I feel very confident that Avalon has an exciting future,” says James.

The Avalon board expects to announce his successor in early 2012.