The first chair of Scotland's national funding body, who oversaw a period of unprecedented turmoil as well as reform under a new chief executive, is to stand down.

Sir Sandy Crombie, the first chair of Creative Scotland, a merger of the former Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, will not take on a full second term as chairman.

A prominent figure in the world of finance and banking, Sir Sandy will have a short extension of his tenure, due to end in June, to December this year while the Scottish Government look for a new chair.

Sir Sandy was in charge when turmoil overwhelmed the funding body, which annually distributes £100m to the arts, film, and creative industries, and its first chief executive, Andrew Dixon.

Dixon resigned in 2012 after what was known in the arts world as the "stramash" over its methods, language and strategy, as did a senior director, Venu Dhupa.

But Sir Sandy and the board remained in place and picked the current chief executive, Janet Archer, who is presiding over a reform of the body and a re-vamp of its funding schemes.

The chair post at Creative Scotland carries with it a remuneration of £30,000, but it is understand Sir Sandy did not choose to take it.

He has not been immune from some biting criticism himself and his tone was once described as being one of "patrician emollience".

Names already in the frame for the post of chair would include Professor Seona Reid, former head of the Glasgow School of Art, and Bob Last, the film producer and chair of the Centre for Moving Image in Edinburgh.

Sir Sandy said: "It has been my privilege to be the first Chair of Creative Scotland. This period has of course had its challenges, but we must not forget there have also been many successes to celebrate and enjoy. Creative Scotland is ready now to play its full part in seeing many more."

The chair of Creative Scotland is appointed by Scottish Ministers. The recruitment of a new Chair will be led by the Scottish Government and the role will be advertised in the summer.

Fiona Hyslop, secretary for culture, said: "I thank Sir Sandy for his valuable contribution to Creative Scotland and his determined commitment to supporting Scottish arts and culture."