RPA chief executive to quit

Rural Payments Agency chief executive Tony Cooper is to quit his post for “personal reasons”.

Mr Cooper joined the agency in 2006 and has taken flak for its failure to deliver payments on time, sky rocketing costs and scandals over lost data.

He will leave the RPA at the end of July and take early retirement.

Mr Cooper joined the agency as interim chief executive in May 2006 and was confirmed in the position in June 2008.

“The agency’s achievements over the past four years have been significant and I’m proud to have played my part in bringing that improvement about,” Mr Cooper said.

“I wish the agency every success as it moves on to the next phase.”

The new chief executive of RPA will be announced by DEFRA in the near future.