Recording Academy President Neil Portnow will step down from his position next year when his contract expires, Billboard reports. Portnow has been the head of the organization since 2002. In a statement to Billboard, he said, “The evolution of industries, institutions and organizations is ultimately the key to their relevance, longevity and success.” Portnow added, “I’ll be working with our Board to put the various elements in place that will ensure transparency, best practices, and the Academy’s ability to find the very best, brightest, and qualified leadership to take us into our seventh decade of operation.” The position will reportedly be filled by next summer.

Earlier this year, a petition—led by Vanessa Carlton—called on Portnow to resign after he said that women should “step up” if they want to be successful in the music industry. “Neil Portnow’s comments show a complete disregard for the many ways women have been overlooked, discredited, and disempowered in music,” the petition read. “At a time when women and men across industries are screaming ‘Time’s Up’ for, not only sexual harassment and assault, but also systemic discrimination that subjugates women and people of color, Portnow’s comments are especially tone-deaf.”

After his “step up” comment, Portnow backtracked and apologized, saying that the words “do not convey my beliefs and the point I was trying to make.” The Grammys then announced an independent task force, led by Time’s Up co-founder Tina Tchen, to address biases against women in the music industry.

Read Pitchfork’s interview with Neil Portnow, as well as “As Mainstream Music Stays Quiet on Sexual Assault, We Ask Grammy Nominees How to Solve the Problem.”