THE director of Malvern Hills Conservators has announced that he is stepping down after three years in the post.

Steve Bound is leaving to become chief operations manager of the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators in south London, although he is unlikely to take up his new job until the start of next year.

During his time as director, Mr Bound has overseen a major overhaul in the Conservators' governance and had to deal with the fallout from two deaths in the Gullet Quarry within a few days in the summer of 2013.

He said: "The two young men dying at the Gullet was something that shook up all of us at the Conservators, but I think we've done a good job of making the quarry a safer place, and in publicising the dangers. But it's not something I enjoyed having to do.

"Much more positive has been working with the board on the review of the Conservators' governance, which has definitely improved the running of the organisation.

"The other thing I feel very positive about is the work that the Conservators have done to prevent the proposals for the cable car going any further.

"One of the primary reasons that the Conservators were established was to protect the Hills from building - and we have stood firm against this proposal. I know, from all the positive feedback we’ve received from the local community, that the public really appreciate our efforts to protect the Hills."

Reconciling the Conservators with John Redman, proprietor of St Ann's Well, which is now to be given a major facelift, has also been a source of satisfaction to Mr Bound.

"It's just a shame that I'm unlikely to be around to see the completion of that work," he said.

At a special meeting on Monday, board members agreed to form a recruitment committee which will look at finding a replacement for Mr Bound.

It was revealed that the chairman of the organisation, Helen Stace, could be putting herself up for the directorship.

The recruitment committee, formed of five members of the board, will look at issues such as the job description and specification of the post, and the recruitment process.

A draft specification for the post says it will pay a salary of between £41,616 and £45,196, and among the essential qualifications are a relevant degree or equivalent, ten years’ experience in land management, a proven track record in managing people and experience in managing a budget of £0.75 million.