The chief executive of a troubled academy trust has quit - nearly seven months after he was suspended on full pay.

Nardeep Sharma was in charge of The Thrive Academy Partnership Trust, which runs Philip Morant School, in Colchester, and Colne Community School, in Brightlingsea, but was suspended in March.

He formally left the role on Monday.

His resignation comes weeks after that of former colleague Catherine Hutley who was executive principal of the Thrive Trust.

Mrs Hutley is now understood to have a new education job at Essex County Council.

It is understood a number of academy trusts have been making enquiries about offering Mr Sharma a new job.

However, neither Mr Sharma or Mrs Hutley have been available to speak about what happened since they were suspended.

It understood both received substantial pay outs with the caveat to not disclose what happened.

In a statement on its website the trust said: “Replacements for Mr Sharma and Mrs Hutley are not being sought as the trust, as previously announced, is currently going through a re-brokering process.”

Mr Sharma took home a salary between £130,000 and £135,000 and received up to £25,000 in pension contributions.

Mrs Hutley took home a salary between £110,000 and £115,000.

Sigma Academy Trust is due to take over the schools following the re-brokering process.

But it will not appoint permanent headteachers until later on this academic year.

A number of headteachers were seconded to help run each school.

Neil Gallagher, principal at Clacton County High School, was appointed as interim executive headteacher at the Colne School and at Philip Morant School, Gillian Marshall, headteacher at Colchester County High School for Girls, was appointed interim executive head working with acting headteachers, Colin Green and Michelle Myer.

An investigation into Thrive’s governance is being led the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

Neil Jones, chairman of the Thrive Trust, confirmed he was among those on the governance board who decided suspending Mr Sharma and Mrs Hutley was appropriate.

On the board at the time were Frank Pomroy, Suzanne Farrell and Ian Galen, while trustees were Andrew Cooke, Margaret Wilson, Richard Mark Jeffries, Sarah Dignasse and Stephen Munday.

Mrs Farrell resigned last month but Thrive said this was not in connection with the investigation. She had also been chair of Philip Morant’s governing body.

Vice-Chairperson Stephen Razzell also resigned.