Ms Tetlow said although she was leaving the organisation, she would remain in the North and hoped to work on economic development projects for the region.

"There is so much opportunity for us here but unfortunately we are not able to fulfill that at the moment," she said.

"It was a tough decision to make to leave. The reality is that we are a small organisation that does a lot of work.

"It seems like a good time to step down from the chamber so another executive can get their teeth into the role."

Chamber chairwoman Donna Bain said Ms Tetlow had been a major contributor to the chamber's success over the past three years though increasing cash reserves, media exposure and business advocacy.

The chamber's board will determine a replacement when Ms Tetlow leaves the organisation in mid-April.