John Saunders, the founder of the Irish arm of what is now public relations firm FleishmanHillard, is to move from the position of chief executive of the global parent group to chairman.
Mr Saunders will be replaced by the company's current chief operating officer and president Americas, J.J. Carter.
Mr Saunders, who is 66, founded his own PR agency in Ireland 37 years ago.
It later became an affiliate of FleishmanHillard before Mr Saunders joined with it formally to create what was then known as FleishmanHillard Saunders.
He became its president and CEO in 2015 after leading FleishmanHillard's Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
"I look back on more than three decades at FleishmanHillard with pride and gratitude for the support of so many colleagues around the world and the trust that some of the world's leading companies have placed in us," Mr Saunders said.
"However, it’s now time for me to step back and spend more time with my family both in Dublin and in London and with my six young grandchildren whom I miss being so far away from."
"I have full confidence in J.J. as president and CEO. I have seen him in action over many years and respect his strengths, and his ability to lead no matter the pace and complexity of change. J.J. is a person of outstanding personal integrity and I wholeheartedly endorse his selection."
Last year Mr Saunders became the first individual in the communications industry to be conferred with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from Dublin City University.
The transition of leadership will take place on October 1st.
FleishmanHillard is part of the Omnicom PR Group.
