The ABC’s Director of News Gaven Morris has told staff that he will not renew his contract when it comes around again.

His career at the ABC began as a reporter when he joined at the age of 20. After several years in the top news job, Morris now feels “it’s the right time for him to move on and do some other things in his life.”

In an internal memo announcing the departure, David Anderson paid tribute to Morris, saying:

“Gaven’s contribution to the ABC has been enormous.

“His strategic vision and boundless drive and energy have been integral to a string of achievements, including leading the 2010 launch of the ABC NEWS Channel; spearheading ABC News’s rise to digital excellence ; creating the journalistic powerhouses of ABC Investigations and the Specialist Reporting Team; fostering News’s culture of diversity and inclusion; and driving the strategy to make News’s content and services more relevant to all Australians.

“As the very best leaders do, he has always led by example, with a huge work ethic, absolute integrity, fearless independence and a lot of courage.”

He will leave when a replacement is found.

Last year Gaven Morris explained his digital strategy to radioinfo, read the interview here.