Long-serving Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher says his retirement is nothing to do with the region's financial position.
And he said his and managing director Gareth Davies' departures at the end of the season are a coincidence.
Gallacher leaves after 13 years, while Davies is taking up another post.
Crowds at the new Parc y Scarlets stadium have been disappointing but Gallacher had already said he was not concerned about this in the short term.
He also denied the Welsh Rugby Union had asked to see the Scarlets' books, saying that under the umbrella of Regional Rugby Wales, the region had invited the governing body to examine their finances.
Gallacher said: "They've [the WRU] already been into the Dragons. They've been invited into the Blues. They've been invited here and invited to the Ospreys.
This has been a hard decision for me to make after so many years connected with Llanelli as a club and region
Stuart Gallacher
"So it's not a question of them asking us to see our books.
"We collectively have said: 'look, come along, we'll show you everything, open and transparent, just for you to see what the true cost of running a region is and keeping the players in Wales'."
Of his and Davies' departures, Gallacher told BBC Radio Wales: "People will believe what they want to believe, but it's pure coincidence [that he and Davies are leaving at the same time]."
He added: "I'd like to make very clear that my decision to retire - and that's what I'm doing, I'm retiring - has absolutely got nothing to do with the financial position or anything else at the region."
Former Bradford Bulls boss Davies has been with the Scarlets since 2006.
Gallacher, 62, has been with the region since their inception and was chief executive of Llanelli, his association with the club lasting more than 40 years.
"This has been a hard decision for me to make after so many years connected with Llanelli as a club and region," he added
The Scarlets closed their old and much-loved Stradey Park home in October 2008 for the move to the new £23m Parc y Scarlets.
"I was determined to get the stadium up and running before I stepped down. I think I have achieved that now," Gallacher said.
"I will be working closely with the board and my Scarlets colleagues until the end of the season to ensure we maintain 'business as usual' - focusing and finalising our well-advanced rugby plans for next season and beyond."
Former Llanelli second-row Gallacher won one Wales cap, against France in 1970.
Davies leaves at the end of the season to take up a new role as business development director at Link Telecom.
"I have had a very fulfilling and enjoyable role with the Scarlets and have been pleased to help oversee the region's move into the new stadium and secure substantial sponsorship," said Davies.
Davies also defended the region's financial position, despite debts which were over £2.5m at the end of January 2008.
Crowds at the 14,681-capacity Parc y Scarlets have also failed to reach their target of an average 9,000 and the region has had a poor season on the field with early exits in the Heineken and EDF Energy cups.
"Things are difficult for everybody inside and outside of sport... we're no different," he said, adding he had no doubt crowds would grow at Parc y Scarlets.
An interim chief executive, Ian Kirby, has been appointed by the Scarlets board to oversee the transition of the departures of Gallacher and Davies and the arrival of a new chief executive.
Kirby, who is said to have more than 20 years experience with major commercial organisations where he had overseen changes in their businesses, will be responsible for the transition between Gallacher and the new chief executive and in charge of non-rugby operations at the Scarlets.
He will work alongside Gallacher and Davies over coming months and then with the new Scarlets chief executive when appointed.
"We are grateful to Stuart and Gareth for the significant contributions each of them has made to the region and particularly for their hard work and commitment managing the move from Stradey Park to Parc y Scarlets," said Scarlets chairman Huw Evans.
"I would like to play particular tribute to Stuart for his dedication to the Scarlets for so many years," added Evans, who said the search for a new chief executive had begun.
"This is a time of great opportunity and equally great challenge for the Scarlets as we build on the potential that the new stadium offers this region."
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