She will step down as chairman of the organisation at the end of June and will be replaced by senior Leeds lawyer Nigel McClea, head of office at Pinsent Masons.

Ms Fletcher spent a year helping to set up Marketing Leeds, as has spent three years as its first chairman.

She said she had stepped down to concentrate on her personal business interests, particularly BHM Group which specialises in natural health products and which is expanding rapidly in the Far East.

She told the YEP: "I feel confident that it is the right time to step down now. The board has built a strong organisation with a great team. Marketing Leeds will continue to have my enthusiastic support."

Of her successor, she added: "Nigel McClea is a well known and respected figure in Leeds and is as passionate about the city as I am. I'm delighted to be handing over to him."

Mr McClea is a council member of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, a steering group member of the Leeds Property Forum and deputy chairman of Leeds Ahead, the not for profit company dedicated to connecting business with the community.

Yorkshire Commercial Property Lawyer of the Year in 2003, he became head of the Leeds office of Pinsent Masons in 2004 and recently celebrated 35 years with the firm.

Marketing Leeds was formed in 2004 when the city adopted the 'Leeds, Live it, Love it' brand.

Following a difficult launch, which saw the premature departure of its first chief executive, it has won the support of 60 businesses – known as Champions – who each contribute between £2,500 and £20,000 in support of its aims to promote the city.

International campaigns showcasing Leeds have been run in Spain and Germany with Italy to follow in October when Leeds Week will be held in Milan.

In Leeds, the World Corporate Games is set to attract over 6,000 participants and the Taste of Leeds festival will highlight the city as a national gastronomic centre.

Fellow board member Duncan Mycock, managing partner of KPMG in Leeds, said: "Jan has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, giving time, support and access to her contacts – often putting the city's interests ahead of her own.

"Jan's greatest contribution has been in winning the support of businesses and partnerships across Leeds and the city region. The city owes her a great debt of gratitude."