SCOTTISH Athletics have named Mark Munro as their new CEO as he steps up from an interim role.

The governing body’s current Head of Development steps into the new role on a permanent basis after serving four months as Interim CEO following the departure of Nigel Holl to UK Athletics.

And Munro is determined that the country’s 150 athletics clubs will remain a key priority as the organisation seeks to build on significant success in 2016 which included record representation with GB and NI at the Olympics and Paralympics.

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Former athlete Mark, 39, joined Scottish Athletics in May 2011 after previous employment with the Scottish Football Association. He made an immediate and continued impact on the development strategy for clubs – and it was his significant status within the athletics community in Scotland which helped persuade the Board he was the most suitable applicant as CEO.

During his Interim period, Munro secured a kit deal with Macron which will lead to Scottish athletes return to wearing navy blue vests and saw the organisation named Scottish Governing Body of the Year for 2016 in the Scottish Sports Awards.

Chairman Ian Beattie and President Leslie Roy conducted the interview process, in partnership with sportscotland.

‘We were fortunate to have a number of very strong candidates, all of whom had the ability to perform the role,’ said Ian.

‘However, Mark’s depth of knowledge of athletics, along with his strong vision of how he intends to lead the organisation going forward, stood out. It is clear that Mark is regarded very highly across the sport as a whole and I am sure he is the right person to build on the success we have seen in the last few years.

‘I look forward to working closely with him as he leads scottishathletics through the next stages of its development.’

Munro, from Dunbar, said: ‘I am delighted to accept the post as Chief Executive Officer and want to thank the Board for having the confidence in me to do the job.

'It was definitely challenging to step-up as Interim over a four-month period, while also maintaining a focus on my Development role, but it was one which I really enjoyed. That period over the summer in the CEO role helped convince me to apply for it full-time.

'In terms of the business and development of both scottishathletics as an organisation and the sport, I believe the direction and strategy are clear: we will continue to try and build on the existing work. I see that very much as ensuring clubs sit at the heart of what we do.

'I am firmly of the view we need to continue to strengthen key areas within the sport: whether that’s events, performance programmes or development projects for clubs, coaches and officials - they are all crucial to the sport moving forwards.

'In due course, I'm sure we will be looking to outline more in terms of our vision for the future. For the moment I'd like to thank many people who have already been in touch to offer their best wishes to me in the post.'

Athletics in Scotland is regarded by many at the moment to be in a good place with the 15 athletes who went to Rio for the Olympics the biggest representation on Team GB and NI at the Olympics for 108 years. Six athletes then went to the Paralympics, bringing home seven medals.

Membership levels have risen by more than 30 percent in the past five years and a number of National and local events, across various disciplines, are attracting record fields or their biggest for 20 years.

Eilidh Doyle’s 4 x 400m relay medal was the first won by a Scot in track and field for 28 years. Doyle said: ‘To have 15 athletes in Rio was great and there were a few of us who a potential to win a medal, so it is for them, too, and for scottishathletics and all the hard work they have done.’

Scottish Athletics will shortly assess and advertise the Head of Development vacancy which is created by Mark’s appointment.