Gloucestershire County Council leader Mark Hawthorne is stepping down from the top job and leaving politics after almost 26 years.

The Conservative has been leader for more 14 years but will leave the role in September and exit the council completely next year.

The Quedgely ward councillor announced today (July 24) he will not stand in the county council elections next year.

In an exclusive video interview with Punchline-gloucester.com he said he has decided to step back from politics ahead of his 50th birthday this year to focus on finding a new career.

He said: "It feels right for me. I've had a good innings and it's time for me to let someone else have a go."

When asked if it was a reaction to the Tory's defeat in the General Election, Mark said: "Absolutely not. What's slightly annoying is I was planning to make my announcement in mid-June but then Rishi called the election so I had to put my plans on hold."

In the interview he spoke of the highs and lows of his time in office and gave his his top three tips for business and chairing a meeting.

A new era will dawn for the county in September when a leader will then be voted on by all 53 members of the council.

Mark said he decided to step down now as he wanted to have time to pass on his knowledge to the new leader before leaving.

"It's only right and fair that I give my successor a bit of time to get their feet under the table and take charge in the runup to next year's elections," he said.

Mark started out as a councillor for Kingsholm aged 23 and steadily worked his way up through the ranks.

He served as leader of Gloucester City Council from 2004-2007, notably cutting the role down from five days to three days a week and carrying it out alongside his job at Lloyds. He then handed over the reins to Paul James.

Mark went on to be elected as a county councillor in 2009 for Morelands ward and was appointed as cabinet member for environment by then leader Cllr Barry Dare. Just months later in 2010 he was elected to take on the top job.

He said: "It has been an enormous privilege to lead this council for the past 14 years. Whilst deciding to take a step back has not been easy, I am looking forward to all that life after being leader has to offer.

"I will do all I can to support the new leader to hit the ground running and will continue to represent the people of Quedgeley until the elections next year."

During his time in office, Mark has been chair of the Conservative Councillors Association, deputy chair of the County Council's Network and digital champion of the Local Government Association, having previously chaired the People and Place Board.

He was founding member of the Western Gateway, working to position Gloucestershire as a key player across the region, and through his role on the Local Enterprise Partnership Board helped secure a £1billion pipeline of national investment for a range of infrastructure schemes and projects across the county.

He was also instrumental in securing Stage 7 of last year's Tour of Britain for the county.

One of his proudest achievements was spearheading the lobbying effort which finally resulted in national funding being secured for the A417 missing link scheme, which is now being constructed.

Funding for local highways issues has been a focus for him and under his watch more than £250million has been committed to improving the county's roads and each county councillor has been allocated a share of a multi-million pound pot to support works in their local area.

Another focus has been supporting communities to achieve more and he worked to deliver the Big Community Offer. It handed some council buildings and services to local communities and distributed more than £2m to local groups through different levelling up funds.

Mark has also been a vocal ambassador for better rural broadband, something that has improved as part of the Fastershire programme, and recently took on the public health portfolio.

Mark said:"It has been an honour to meet so many members of Gloucestershire communities over the years; to hear what is important to them; what is impacting on their lives and to do everything possible to address them.

"I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved on behalf of the county, but I have been particularly pleased at the progress we have made on driving forwards the green agenda and for the transformation we have delivered across many of our services.

"The commitment and effort I have witnessed first-hand during my years as leader means I am confident that services will continue to go from strength to strength."

Mark has also faced criticism- taking a lot of heat for the Javelin Park incinerator project and had to navigate the county through hardships, including the covid-19 pandemic, the period of national mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and challenging financial times.

He said: "It has not always been easy, in fact we have faced some incredibly challenging times, but it has always been rewarding and it has always been an honour."

Mark Owen, editor and owner of Punchline-Gloucester.com, said: "Mark has been integral to regeneration in the city. He was a big part of the Quays coming forward and had to fight a lot of opposition for that. But from it the rest of the regeneration bloomed.

"I want to thank him for all his hard work and for all he has done for Gloucestershire and its people. He leaves a lasting legacy that he can be proud off.

"We wish him all the best for the future and I'm sure we'll cross paths again soon."

Peter Bungard, chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "Mark's ability to lead the council successfully and effectively for as long as he has is testament to his leadership qualities; his drive, commitment, and the high regard he is held in by councillors and officers alike.

"Mark has the rare ability to effectively bring together people from all walks of life and get them working and delivering towards achieving a common goal."

Mark will be stepping down as leader of the Conservative Group at its next meeting. It is expected that a new group leader will be elected at the same meeting.

The new group leader does not automatically become leader of the council - that is an appointment that will be voted on by all 53 members of the council in September.