John Hassay has resigned from his position as executive producer at Colonel Blimp to pursue an as-yet-undisclosed new venture.

Hassay, one of the most influential people working in British music videos and one of its biggest personalities, informed Blink MD James Studholme of his decision to resign from his position last night.

Hassay's shock departure from the company he founded and has built into one of London's top video production outfits happens with immediate effect. Blink - where Blimp has been the music video division for the past four years - have already named experienced freelance producer Tamsin Glasson as head of production at Blimp in his stead, assisted by current assistant head Lily Smith.

Hassay leaves Colonel Blimp with the company riding high, after a period of high turnover of work for some top acts - including Coldplay, Little Boots and Will Young - more jobs on the books upcoming, their latest scoop of awards at the MVAs and a strong roster that includes Dougal Wilson, Nez, Sarah Chatfield, OneInThree and David Wilson.

He told Promo News today: "I know I'm leaving Colonel Blimp in good shape. It's nice to go out at the top. I think I've left an interesting legacy of work - but now it's onto the next thing."

He would not divulge the details of the new venture that has prompted him to leave the company that he founded - although it will clearly allow him to move beyond the medium in which he has built a formidable reputation, ever since he started as a video commissioner at Skint Records in the late Nineties working with Fatboy Slim.

Meanwhile in a press announcement released this afternoon, Blink's James Studholme has asserted his company's commitment to music videos. "We've had an incredible ride working with the unique John Hassay, and he leaves Colonel Blimp in great nick," he said. "We're more committed to and excited by music video then ever and putting loads of energy into it's next chapter. More than just business as usual this transition has got ridiculously huge potential. Watch this space."