The outspoken Barwell bought into the Midlands club in 1995

Barwell will remain as chairman, but Saints commercial director Allan Robson will take over as chief executive.

"I need to spend time thinking through what's happening nationally," he said.

Barwell has been a vociferous critic of the Rugby Football Union in the past and has been tipped to succeed Tom Walkinshaw as Premier Rugby's chairman.

The RFU and Premier Rugby - the umbrella organisation which looks after the interests of the 12 Premiership clubs - ended up in court over the release of players for an England Test against New Zealand.

But Rob Andrew's appointment as the RFU's elite director of rugby has raised hopes of a long-term solution to the long-running club v country debate.

[Rob Andrew] may be the chap to sort out the club v country mess - he knows what it is like at the coalface Keith Barwell

The arrival of Andrew, who moved from his former post as Newcastle's director of rugby, seems to have helped pave the way for improved relations between the two sides.

A recent agreement over player-release dates for England matches hinted at a desire for harmony.

"Premier Rugby and the RFU have similar turnovers of some �100m and we both want our businesses to grow," added Barwell, who will also remain as Northampton's principal shareholder.

"Common sense tells me that we ought to be able to do this together, but in recent months I have been having serious doubts as to the viability of this.

"The next two years are going to be crucial and it is in this area that I want to spend my time and efforts.

"It would be churlish of me to be negative when Rob Andrew has just taken up his position.

"He may be the chap to sort out the club v country mess - he knows what it is like at the coalface and I hope the RFU listens to his views. While I always hope that common sense will prevail, I am too often disappointed."