Brendan Barber is to retire later this year after ten years as leader of the TUC, he announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, the 61-year-old union leader said it was the "right time" to make a change in his life.
"I have been enormously privileged to work at the TUC since 1975, and the end of the year will mark the ten year point since my election as General Secretary.
“The TUC has always been a powerful voice for the millions of ordinary people who depend on trade unions to better their lives and there is so much of our work over the years in which I take great pride. But I have every confidence that under new leadership the TUC can go from strength to strength.”
TUC President Paul Kenny added that Barber had made an "immense contribution", adding that he had been “one of the most successful TUC general secretaries".
“I hope he will continue to make a huge contribution to the movement after he leaves the TUC. He will be duly honoured by affiliates at the Congress,” Kenny said.
His successor will be elected at the 2012 Congress in September.
Check out the news of the day in pictures below: