Stephen Bayly, chief executive of the UK's National Film and Television School (NFTS), is stepping down to return to film-making.

Bayly, a producer-director whose producing credits include Marleen Gorris' Mrs Dalloway and Richard III, directed by Richard Loncraine, has been at the NFTS since 1998 and is a graduate of the school himself.

"I've been itching to get back to film-making," said Bayly. "It is typical at the school for practitioners to come do their stint, then move back into the industry. It keeps the teaching fresh and industry-relevant."

Michael Kuhn, the chairman of the NFTS board, said in a statement: "I respect Stephen's decision to return to his distinguished film-making career and thank him for his contribution to the school during his five year term in office."