Ralph Kamp is understood to be close to stepping down as chief executive of Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey's London-based sales operation Icon Entertainment International.

The move would come despite Icon's success this year with UK comedy Kevin And Perry Go Large, which Kamp executive produced, and US product including the hit What Women Want, on which Kamp oversaw international sales to a host of markets.

Kevin And Perry was a more surprising hit in the UK last year. The feature version of a UK TV comedy sketch had racked up more than $16m at the local box-office as of last month.

Kamp's departure is expected to come as a blow to Icon, as the executive is one of the most experienced international film and TV sellers. As well as representing studio-level fare such as Robert Redford's The Legend Of Bagger Vance, he is influential in Icon's production presence in the UK. His executive or co-executive producer credits on local titles include An Ideal Husband and When The Sky Falls.

Kamp is also on the board of directors at the Icon group's UK distribution arm, which is under Nick Hill. Calls to Icon's offices in London and the US were not returned.