Edwin Shuker, one of the Board of Deputies’ three vice-presidents, will not seek a second three-year term when members of the representative body choose their leaders next month. 

Mr Shuker - who spent six days in hospital after contracting Covid-19 earlier this year - said he would not elaborate on his decision to step down until he had spoken to the Board’s education and community division, which he chairs. 

Senior vice-president Sheila Gewolb is ineligible to contest the post again, having served as vice-president for a maximum six successive years. 

Both Mr Shuker and Dr Gewolb went for the presidency three years ago. 

The current president, Marie van der Zyl, is facing a challenge from charity lawyer Jonathan Neumann, deputy for Shomrei Hadath Federation Synagogue.

Candidates for the May 9 election have until Friday next week to muster the 20 nominations needed to enter the contest. 

Stuart MacDonald, treasurer for the past six years, is aiming at the vice-presidency in this election, as is Gary Mond, who failed narrowly to be elected to it three years ago. 

The third vice-president, Amanda Bowman, who chairs the defence division, is seeking re-election to the post.

A fourth candidate for the vice-presidency, David Mendoza-Wolfson, at 29 would, if successful, become one of the youngest Board officers. 

Ben Crowne, chair of the Board’s constitutional working group, hopes to take the financial reins as treasurer.