Tony Payne to retire

Tony Payne, the chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations (FLVA), is to retire at the end of 2009.

Payne, who was awarded a CBE in 2005, announced his plans at the FLVA AGM in Blackpool this morning after 16 years in the job.

"The FLVA has been so rewarding, I could not have wished to end my career on a different note," he said. "I can honestly say every day has been different, with the opportunity to make a difference driving me to continue well beyond normal retirement age."

The current president of the organisation, Shaun Rennison said today "the FLVA is Tony Payne" and suggested that it would be very different without him.

"His knowledge and understanding of the industry is priceless, his contacts seem limitless and his patience is legend," he continued.

"We will find replacing Tony extremely difficult and appreciate Tony giving us 12 months to plan for change. This will give us an opportunity to perhaps re-shape the organisation to more accurately reflect the rapid changes in our industry and the requirements of our membership."

Steps were already underway to seek a replacement and for an orderly transition to "a new era for the licensed trade sector", he added.