Welsh Athletics Ltd is set to enter a new era following the appointment of Matt Newman as Chief Executive Officer.

The 42-year-old from Cowbridge will start at the governing body for athletics in Wales in September. He leaves his post of almost four years as Chief Executive of Welsh Gymnastics Ltd, where he has carried out significant reform and has played a leading role in modernising the organisation.

He joins Welsh Athletics at a time of wide-ranging changes and will head a team of eight staff at headquarters, three in the regional centres and three at the National Indoor Athletic Centre in Cardiff as well as an army of volunteers.

The appointment of a Chief Executive Officer is the latest in a line of major changes for Welsh Athletics. In April, it became a limited company and is now led by a board of directors who boast a cross-section of expertise in areas such as business and finance, law, marketing, education, coaching, performance and, of course, athletics and its development.

Newman explained, “I’m thoroughly looking forward to the new challenge having led Welsh Gymnastics through a time of major transformation. It is a superb opportunity to shape a new future for athletics in Wales, support the club and regional structures and create an environment for talented athletes to fulfil their potential ahead of London 2012 and beyond.”

Before joining Welsh Gymnastics, Newman also worked at Sports Council Wales where he was charged with assisting governing bodies in business modernisation. Before that, he was employed in business development for a leading London-based software supplier in the insurance & financial services sector.

He is also an accomplished sportsman having played for Cardiff RFC and gaining international honours with Welsh Universities and Welsh Students.  He was a junior member of Barry Harriers. He also supports Wales’ sporting community as a director of Welsh Sports Association which provides advisory, advocacy, consultative and training services to national governing bodies of sport.

Lynette Harries, Chair of Welsh Athletics, said, “It is vital that strong leadership is provided by the Chief Executive. I am confident that Matt, together with the full backing of the board and staff, will ensure that Welsh Athletics continues to drives forward.”