Pitchford established the MPA - a collaboration between the Cabinet Office, the Treasury and departments aiming to improve the delivery success-rate of major projects - in 2011 following a career in the public and private sectors around the world.
Under his leadership, the MPA achieved savings of £1.2bn last year. Earlier this year, the MPA published its reviews of government major projects for the first time, showing a substantial improvement in the number of projects being delivered on time.
Pitchford also worked for the Department for Work and Pensions for three months until May this year, where he ran the Universal Credit project.
Pitchford is stepping down from his post due to personal family reasons. The government will announce details about his replacement shortly.
Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “David has led the Major Project Authority brilliantly and has been a major player in the Efficiency and Reform Group’s top team, which is working to transform Whitehall and save the taxpayer billions.
“The Authority’s first annual report was a watershed moment. For the first time ever we disclosed an honest appraisal rating for each one of the Government’s major projects."
“This transparency will help further drive up standards, ensuring the billions of pounds that we spend on projects are properly focussed," he said.
“And besides all of this, I will much miss David’s sharp wit and impressive leadership. I wish him all the best for the future.”
See also: DWP projects face praise and criticism