The executive director of the Bermuda Festival is to step down after a year in the post.

T.J. Armand said he had quit the job to concentrate on personal projects.

Mr Armand said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as the executive director of the festival’s 44th season and I strongly believe the festival will continue to bring the very best of the performing arts to the island and passionately support Bermudian youth with student outreach programmes.

“I’m truly gratified about what our team has achieved, and I will look back at season 44 with pride for years to come.”

David Skinner, the festival chairman, said: “Mr Armand has served in the position for the past year and has cited the need to tend to his recording projects, along with the development of his long-awaited musical, Sama, in New York and London as the reason for his departure.

“While I’m sad to have a valued leader in our organisation depart, T.J.’s achievements with the festival has been abundantly documented by the great reviews of the festival productions.”

Mr Skinner said the festival had started to look for a replacement.