Michael Bargholz has resigned as chief executive of AllianceBernstein in Australia and New Zealand after almost 11 years with the firm.

Bargholz will spend three months out of the workforce thinking about what he wants to do next, according to a person familiar with his plans.

AllianceBernstein has been in Australia for 20 years. During some of Bargholz’s tenure AllianceBernstein was in a joint venture with AXA.

Bergholz has also resigned as deputy chairman and director of the Financial Services Council Board, an organisation that represents Australia’s retail and wholesale funds. He was chairman of the FSC’s standards, oversights and disciplinary board committee and co-chair of the regulatory affairs board committee.

 “Michael made an enormous contribution to the FSC,” says Peter Maher, FSC chairman. “He is a passionate advocate for the financial services sector and a great contributor to progressive policy.”