The RNLI has reached a settlement agreement with Mark Hallam, the charity’s former finance director, who sought to bring a claim to Employment Tribunal for constructive dismissal.

The hearing was due to start today, but civilsociety.co.uk has learned that the parties have settled out of court.

In a statement the RNLI said: “The RNLI is pleased to say we’ve reached a settlement agreement with Mr Mark Hallam and we believe that to be in the best interest of both parties. We wish him well for the future.”

It is understood that Hallam was to argue in tribunal that both the RNLI's CEO Paul Boissier and some board members were unsupportive of his professional stance on financial integrity, and this eventually made his position at the charity untenable.

Hallam said: "We have reached a settlement and I wish the RNLI well in the future."

Hallam spent seven years with the RNLI. He is now director of finance, IT and training at the Marine Society and Sea Cadets.