Page is stepping down after CAMRA’s biggest poll of members to decide the future of the organisation, which failed to pass a vote to represent all beer and cider drinkers.
He will seek to return to the charity sector, after being in the role at CAMRA since 2014.
In a statement released by CAMRA today (30 May), he said: “I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to be part of CAMRA, which is a truly remarkable organisation.
“The past 42 months have seen the campaign maintain its effectiveness in campaigning and lobbying for real ale, cider and perry to be available in every community across the UK; and for those communities to continue to be served by pubs, which provide a wide range of benefits for individuals and society as a whole."
Sector friendship
He continued: “I am grateful for the friendship and support that I have enjoyed from people across the sector, and look forward to keeping in touch with friends within and outside CAMRA.”
At the end of last year, Page stepped down from his role as director of Drinkers’ Voice, but confirmed he was staying in place at CAMRA.
Page has spent the past two years championing the Revitalisation Project that aimed to bring change to the organisation that was founded in 1971.
He predicted that asking the organisation’s vast membership to vote on changes would splinter the group, and said in a previous interview with The Morning Advertiser: “I’ve been through many of these things, so I’m as prepared as I can be to see what’s coming.
“It will splinter the organisation, but you can’t make everyone happy – it’s an evolutionary change, not revolutionary.”
Revitalisation Project
Page was involved in the set up of Drinkers’ Voice, which was designed to represent alcoholic drinks in debates focusing on the link between alcohol and health.
CAMRA’s former chairman Colin Valentine stepped down from his post at the AGM in April, after announcing his plans to do so prior to the meeting.
Previous vice-chairman Jackie Parker, who took on the role as he stepped down, replaced Valentine.
Parker recently defended criticism over voting for the Revitalisation Project, which did not have the expected result.