Robson will become director of major projects with PMP, one of the UK's major sports consultancies.

Sportscotland chairman Alastair Dempster said: "As a result of his leadership, sportscotland is now well-placed to embrace future challenges.

"He leaves a strong team who will be totally focussed on ensuring the organisation's continued success."

Robson has overseen a complete review and subsequent restructuring of the organisation.

The departing chief executive said: "I would like to thank the board, staff and key partners for their support and for making the last four years so enjoyable.

"I am pleased to staying in Scotland, where I will have a wider role within the sport and business sectors."

Robson helped spearhead a number of initiatives with sportscotland, including:

• A major expansion of the Active Schools programme aimed at increasing physical activity levels by children
• Working with the Scottish Executive and councils to develop a regional network of multi-sport facilities across Scotland, supported by �50m funding
• Being a member of the Youth Football Review, with the executive and the Scottish Football Association, which resulted in the in the launch of a �31m action plan to increase the number of players in Scotland
• Launching the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame
• Supporting Scotland's 2009 Ryder Cup bid and a �5m project to introduce every nine-year-old to the game by 2009.