UPDATE 1-Northgate says CEO to step down now rather than June

* CEO to leave now to take on non executive positions

* Had stayed on beyond original retirement due Aug 2009

* Deputy CEO Paul Tallentire to manage day to day operations

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LONDON, April 6 (Reuters) - Northgate Plc (NTG.L) said Chief Executive Steve Smith will step down now, after 23 years at the van hire company, rather than wait until the end of June so that he can take on non executive positions.

Smith had agreed to stay on as CEO beyond his original retirement date of Aug 1 2009 because of the trading conditions last summer and the group's debt refinancing, a placing and rights issue.

Paul Tallentire, deputy chief executive, will continue to manage day to day operations.

Northgate, which rents out light commercial vehicles in Britain, Ireland and Spain, said in March that utilisation rates had improved in the UK and Spain. [ID:nLDE62G0DM]

It reiterated on Tuesday that it the outcome for the full year remains in line with management's expectations.

(Reporting by Julie Crust; editing by Mark Potter)