He’ll leave the SECC around Easter and the venue will soon start a recruitment process to find his successor.

Sharkey’s last major role was to oversee the delivery of the 12,000-capacity SSE Hydro  which recently won three categories in the Scottish Style Awards.

He joined the SECC as finance director in 2002 and stepped up to chief exec in 2008.

“His are big shoes to fill and he will leave behind a fantastic legacy to be enjoyed not just by Glaswegians but by music lovers, visitors and conference delegates from across Scotland and beyond,” said SECC chairman Sir Ian Grant.

Sharkey said he’s “immensely proud” of what the SECC team has achieved during his time with the business.