Des Wilson resigned his post after attempts to persuade the board to abandon plans to tour the country fell on deaf ears.
He also fired a shot at the sport’s governing body the ICC who he accused of forcing countries to undertake tours by imposing ‘draconian’ penalties.
The ICC has already warned England that should it call off its tour plans on political grounds, it will face a hefty penalty of $2m.
Said ECB chairman David Morgan: “It is with regret that I have accepted Des Wilson's resignation from the board of the ECB and respect the strength of his feelings on the issues surrounding the Zimbabwe tour.
"Clearly, there is a difference of opinion between Des and most other members of the Board over our strategy towards the Zimbabwe tour. The ECB does not share his views over the role he alleges ICC have played in this extremely difficult issue.
"The ICC needs to balance the concerns of all its members, and always to act decisively and fairly in the wider interests of the game, as they have done in respect of England's scheduled tour of Zimbabwe.
"I would also like to record my thanks to Des for all that he has done to help build on the success of the Twenty20 Cup, the upgrading the ECB website and in helping to secure a new sponsor for the National Cricket League (Totesport) – these are all important achievements."
