The chief executive of ADvTECH stepped down yesterday after only seven months in the job, following a disagreement with the board of the private education firm, the interim CEO said. Leslie Maasdorp was appointed CEO last August after six years with the company - four as the company chairman.His predecessor, Frank Thompson, has been recalled from retirement to become acting CEO.Thompson said: "There were differences of opinion and that led to the decision on the parting of ways."There was an agreement on the strategy but clearly, and I wasn't there, there were differences of opinion about the detail of implementation of his role as CEO."Thompson said the terms of Maasdorp's departure would remain confidential."I leave ADvTECH with a heavy heart," Maasdorp said, without elaborating.Maasdorp leaves South Africa's second-biggest private education firm in the middle of its expansion into the rest of Africa. Curro Holdings dominates the budget-friendly private school market.Old Mutual, ADvTECH's fourth-largest shareholder, said Maasdorp lacked the skills to lead the company in an acquisitive and transformative growth phase.Brian Pyle, fund manager at the asset management arm of Old Mutual, said: "He is a good business leader but I think he may be more suited for companies in a stable growth phase."ADvTECH, which also runs tertiary education institutions, reported a 7% rise in annual headline earnings per share, helped by strong showing at its schools unit. ..