Carl Gilleard, the chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), has announced he will step down from the role in July next year, having held the post since 1998.

During his tenure he has grown the organisation to its current membership of 750 companies, as well as introducing biannual members surveys.

Gilleard says he will maintain links with the AGR and continue to pursue related interests.

The organisation says a recruitment process for the role will begin “in due course”.