Former England international Smith joined WB in 2001 and was chief executive for more than two decades before moving to the new position of chief operations officer last year and being replaced by Neil Dalrymple.

Smith is now set to depart the governing body on May 12, and reflected on his time with WB.

"The sport of bowls globally has progressed immensely over the past two decades, with the sport’s marquee benchmark events, the World Bowls Championships and Commonwealth Games, setting new standards of excellence on each occasion they have been delivered, and has been underpinned by growth in the largest member nations and development of the sport into new corners of the globe, in addition to advancements in key functional areas such as officiating and coaching," HE said.

"I will look back fondly at my time at World Bowls and all that has been delivered for the sport during my 22-year tenure, and I wish to acknowledge the numerous people that helped contribute over the years, particularly my wife Lorna."

WB President Darryl Clout, the Australian official elected in July 2021, thanked Smith for his service, and revealed he would not be replaced as chief operating officer.

"In 2021, and in the wake of the extraordinary disruption the global pandemic brought to our sport, the World Bowls Board embarked on a comprehensive review of the organisation as part of the Board’s commitment to positioning both the organisation and the sport to best be able to achieve sustainable growth and global success well into the future," Clout said.

"The necessary changes arising from that review continue to unfold - following careful deliberation, the Board has determined that maintaining a chief operating officer position will not serve the best interests of World Bowls and our many stakeholders.

"On behalf of the Board, our member nations and the world bowls community, I have no doubt you will join me and the wider bowls community in acknowledging all that Gary has achieved for World Bowls and our sport through his exemplary and dedicated service."

Smith won the men's pairs title at the 1993 World Indoor Bowls Championships in the English city of Preston, and was bronze medallist at the Victoria 1994 Commonwealth Games.

WB was founded in 2001, and last year moved from Scotland's capital Edinburgh to Thornaby in Australia.