Scotland's two leading policing jobs are to fall vacant in the coming months in a major shake-up at the top of the national force and watchdog.
Vic Emery, a former shipyard executive who chairs the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), said he would not seek reappointment following his current three-year tenure.
His decision follows chief constable Sir Stephen House's decision not to re-apply for his own post next year.
Mr Emery has been involved in policing for seven years, but will leave office in September.
The pair clashed as the new national force was being created in 2013.
Mr Emery, announcing his decision, said he believed that a new chairman should help appoint Sir Stephen's successor.
He said: "In my time as chair of the SPA, I have enjoyed a very effective working relationship with the Chief Constable.
"His relationship has been a crucial one and I wish to put on record my respect for the vast personal commitment he has made in establishing Police Scotland.
"Sir Stephen has been the right person to drive through a period of massive change in the organisation of operational policing in Scotland and I believe he has done an excellent job despite challenging circumstances.
"The relationship between the Chief Constable and the Chair of the SPA is a key one.
Mr Emery added: "I believe that the best way for that crucial dynamic to be forged would be for the Chair appointing the new Chief to have the opportunity to progress the appointment process and have the appropriate tenure to develop that key governance relationship going forward."
He had been tipped to be replaced by Jeane Freeman, who advised former Labour first minister Lord McConnell.
The independence campaigner, however, has now signalled that she wishes to stand for Holyrood for the SNP.
Mr Emery stressed how much had changed in policing since in recent years. His chairmanship of SPA followed a spell at the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA), a back office organisation that also facilitated Scotland's then FBI, the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.
He said: "Since becoming convenor of the SPSA in 2008 and now as Chair of the SPA, I have witnessed remarkable improvement and progress in the effectiveness and efficiency of policing.
"In forensic services we now have the UK's only crime scene to court forensic service with the most sophisticated DNA testing capability in Europe, addressing major issues around confidence in fingerprints.
"In police technology we are making major strategic investment to bring our IT and digital capabilities into the 21st century, addressing previous failings in project management and oversight.
"In police infrastructure we are advancing long-overdue upgrades to police buildings in a long term estates strategy focused on responding to the needs of a modern police force and the communities it serves.
"Crucially we are also reducing the costs of organising policing, protecting service delivery and making it more sustainable for the future."
Mr Emergy added that in the areas of police governance and accountability, the police authority had advanced a more "proactive and strengthened approach" in areas like strategy, finance and performance.
He added: "In my remaining time with SPA this work will continue to be driven forward with vigour and without distraction."
John Foley, SPA chief executive, said:"Vic Emery's contribution to policing over the last seven years cannot be understated. He has been a fair, robust and committed Chair who has led the SPA with strategic vision and integrity. He will leave the SPA and policing in a strong position to progress the reform programme and deliver strengthened and improved governance in policing. I wish him well for the future."
Mr Emery is a former managing director of BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions, which managed the warship building business on the Clyde and the warship support and sustainment business in Portsmouth.
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