Hague-Moss said Sykes would not be directly replaced as MD or as a board director of RDSi. Instead, Field Initiatives will be managed by a team of four senior people – including divisional director Viki Hallahan and associate director Karen Beardon – who will report in to the RDSi board.

Sykes could not be reached for comment at the time of publication. It is not clear what her future plans are. She remains chairman of the Viewing Facilities Association. Sykes worked as field director at Strategic Research Group before joining Field Initiatives in 1996.

Update 15.02.10 Liz Sykes sent the following in response to our request for comment:

“Although I was a bit sad to leave FI, I had an amazing experience and enjoyed every moment spent there… My departure was a mutual decision between myself and my fellow shareholders of RDS Ltd.

“I am really pleased to be taking a few months off to improve my running and spend more time in the garden – hopefully enjoying better weather. In the meantime I am planing a new venture for the autumn.”