One of the ICAEW’s highest ranking executives has made a sudden departure.

Dr Raymond Madden, executive director for learning and professional development, leaves this week without warning and his duties have been taken on by Mark Protherough, director of learning and professional development at the institute. The institute will begin a recruitment process to replace him in September.

The news came out of the blue to one council member: ‘I’m very surprised. I saw him at the council conference ten days ago and everything seemed fine.’

ICAEW chief executive Michael Izza said: 'Raymond was instrumental in transforming our education and training directorate into a client-focused learning and professional development offering.'

Madden said: 'Having achieved what I set out to achieve, the time was ripe for me to move on.'

Madden joined the institute in 2005 from ABN AMRO. He sat on the ICAEW’s management team with three other executives reporting to chief executive Michael Izza.