BBC Scotland’s head of news and current affairs, Atholl Duncan, is stepping down, the corporation has announced.

Duncan will take up a role as executive director, UK and Global, for ICAS – the professional body for accountants, after overseeing coverage of the Scottish election on 5 May.

Duncan has been in charge of the BBC’s Scottish news operation since December 2006. He first joined the corporation in 1984 and worked in a variety of senior news roles.

In a release, BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie paid tribute to Duncan’s commitment and professionalism: “Atholl has played a key role in delivering high quality journalism for our audiences, however they choose to consume it. Under his stewardship, our news team has won a string of awards and we wish him well in his new role.”

Following Duncan’s departure, John Boothman will become acting head of news and current affairs until the role is filled on a permanent basis.