Gail Seal

Leading Israeli charity JNF UK is to appoint a new president following the resignation of Gail Seal after 13 years in the role.

Seal, who became the first female president of the 100-year-old organisation in 1995, has been involved with JNF for 40 years and during her presidency has seen income rise from £1.5m a year to £15m.

During her time, JNF, while raising funds and support, has also been in the news since 2005 over its conflict with Keren Kayemet LeIsrael and using the name for fundraising work for Israel in the UK. After litigation between the two organisations, with both of them making claims and counterclaims, the two groups settled their differences earlier this year and are working together.

According to reports, the legal costs were said to have been £1m and paid for by a supporter.

"My tenure has not always been smooth sailing but I look back with great fondness and pride at the tremendous achievements that JNF UK has facilitated in Israel," said Seal.

According to Seal, she will be pursuing various interests as well as spending "more quality time with my family and friends".