World Table Tennis CEO Steve Dainton will step down from his role on Friday, just four months after taking on the job on a full-time basis and as financial results underlined the challenges facing the sport.

Dainton, who has spent more than 20 years in the sport and led the creation and growth of the organisation in 2019, will also step away from his position on its board.

He will remain in an advisory role in the coming months to support the transition, while the search for his successor has begun and an acting leadership team installed to ensure continuity.

The WTT framed the decision as a shift in leadership needs as its moves beyond the start-up phase.

“The organisation now moves into its next phase. This phase will focus on consolidating those foundations, with disciplined commercial management, stabilisation of revenue streams, and targeted strategic adjustments to support sustainable, long-term growth,” WTT said in a statement.

Dainton said the timing was right to step aside, after discussions with the board.

“It has been my greatest honour to help bring World Table Tennis to life,” he said. “What began as an idea has grown into a global platform for our sport.”