Transurban’s biggest dealmaker, Scott Charlton, will step down at the end of the year after a “collective decision” by the toll road group’s board and the chief executive, who describes running the $30 billion company as the highlight of his infrastructure career.

“The last thing I want to do is be one of those people who stays too long,” the 58-year-old told The Australian Financial Review after investors were informed of his departure – slated for December – along with record first-half earnings from the company’s toll roads. “Eleven years is a long time. I want to do something else.”