UK Export Finance’s (UKEF’s) chief executive Patrick Crawford will be stepping down on 15 November to take up a role at Charity Bank.

Crawford will become chief executive of Charity Bank, a British bank which finances social enterprises, charities and community organisations.

Crawford joined UKEF in July 2004 to lead the organisation through the consolidation of its operations at a single site in London. He also led the introduction of a range of new products designed to help SMEs, ensuring the department’s product range was comparable with export credit agencies throughout the G7, UKEF says in a statement.

David Havelock, UKEF’s director of credit risk, will take over as acting chief executive until a successor is appointed through an open competition.

UK trade minister Lord Green says: “Patrick has been an excellent leader for UK Export Finance over the years he has worked for the department. He led it through global economic challenges, ensuring businesses of all sizes are able to benefit from the products on offer and export their goods abroad.”