The chief executive of the Audit Commission has announced he is standing down from the post in the first half of 2010. Steve Bundred, who has been with the Commission since 2003, told staff this morning: 'I will move on from the Commission with a real sense of achievement, knowing it is in good shape - but with mixed feelings at leaving colleagues with whom I have greatly enjoyed working, and who, I know, will continue to take the Commission forward.' He said the moment felt 'practicable' for the chairman and board to appoint a successor in time to respond to any changes a forthcoming election may bring with it. 'Just over six years feels to me a reasonable tenure of the job,' he added. No date has yet been set for his departure, which will be agreed on once a timetable for appointing a successor is in place.