The chief executive officer of Link4Life, the Trust that operates leisure services on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council, has decided to leave after almost four years in post.

Gillian Bishop joined the Trust in September 2013 as interim chief executive before taking on the role permanently in April 2015. She will leave the Trust at the end of August to become chief executive at North West Employers.

Roger Platt, chair of the board of trustees at Link4Life, said: “I want to pay tribute to the work that Gillian and the team have done for the organisation over this period, and for the wider positive impact she has had in the borough and beyond.

“I have no doubt that she will continue to make a valuable contribution to the region. The board and staff are indebted to her for the service and leadership she has given during her time with us. However, we now need to look forward to our next phase. We are looking to recruit our next chief executive, to keep us moving and actively drive our organisation forward.”