Jon Benjamin, the chief executive of the Board of Deputies for the past eight years, is leaving the organisation, the JC has learned.

Mr Benjamin, who is 48 and came to the Board from the education fundraising charity British Ort, did not wish to comment at this stage.

But a statement from the Board on his departure is expected shortly.

Senior vice-president Laura Marks said: “We’re very sad to lose him.”

Speculation has been growing that the Board and Jewish Leadership Council are on the way to agreeing a merger between the two organisations.

Mr Benjamin's departure would make JLC chief executive Jeremy Newmark the likeliest head of any joint enterprise.