John Woodward has resigned from the position of CEO for the UK Film Council.

Woodward, who has been chief executive since 1999, has announced his decision following the government's recent plan to abolish the UK Film council altogether. With the future of the British film industry's funding currently under negotiation, Woodward stated that he was talking to ministers about alternate ideas but would step down in early November:

"For the next few weeks the UK Film Council is in a dialogue with the government about the future support structures for UK film," Woodward told the Guardian. "By choosing to make my position clear now, I can be objective and unconflicted throughout that process."

The government's planned cuts have received a lot of criticism from both the public, press and many industry figures since Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the Film Council's demise. But despite his views on the decision (he described it before as taken with "no notice and no consultation"), Woodward remained positive about his time with the body:

"I can't adequately say what a privilege it has been to serve the British film industry since 2000 – and I enjoyed every minute of it up until 5.35pm on 24 July this year."