De la Bedoyere (pictured) has been with the organisation since January 2004 and will depart at the end of June to “undertake new projects” – details of which have not been disclosed.

Rajar chairman David Mansfield said: “Sally has achieved a tremendous amount for Rajar over the past six years, often in very challenging circumstances. She oversaw the smooth introduction of the new Rajar contract in 2007, the continuing development of a new online methodology and has worked hard representing Rajar at home and abroad on issues relating to radio audience research.”

De la Bedoyere added: “I have spent six enjoyable years at Rajar and am proud to say that I have accomplished most of the things I set out to do… After six years, I feel it is time for a change of direction and I would now like to focus my energies on new horizons, on expanding my portfolio and undertaking new projects.”

Before taking the helm at Rajar, de la Bedoyere had a spell at Associated Newspapers as managing director of the Evening Standard and she was previously advertisement director at the Mail on Sunday.