Andersen said he was leaving on a high after the association recorded “the best operational outcome for more than a decade” in 2010.

No leaving date has been set, but the board has said it will now begin an extensive recruitment campaign to find a suitable replacement.

Andersen said he would remain on hand as the director of Media Super and the chairman of the PIAA’s investment sub-committee following his retirement from full-time employment.

He said: “Being the head of an organisation that has gone through its own significant changes over several years, come through the global financial crisis and completed a major organisational restructure have been challenging as well as rewarding.

“The fact that we ended 2010 with the best operational outcome for more than a decade after some harrowing times during the GFC is an accomplishment I am very proud to have been part of.

“There may also be scope to continue utilising my industry experience in a number of other areas and I will be considering this down the track,” added Andersen.

Andersen became chief executive in 2005 after joining the body in 1992 as national director.

Printing Industries chairperson Susan Heaney said: “Philip has played a major role in helping to take Printing Industries along a very difficult path in terms of its financial management and strategic repositioning.

“His work has helped us to turn the corner and we will always be grateful for this commitment, loyalty and effort,” she said.

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