Ashton, chief executive at S&P Architects, has been a key contributor to policy and thinking at BISL for the past few years, especially on sport policy.

He brings to the Group unrivalled experience and knowledge, it is claimed.

He has led S&P to its position as a premier sports architectural practice, through work on the Aquatics Centre for London Olympic and Paralympic Games and other major pools in the UK and abroad and a raft of other sports facilities from football stadia to skating and white water rafting.

He is a regular contributor to local Government debate, including on the development of new and innovative strategies for community sport, and has worked with federations and national governmental organisations on major sports facilities strategies.

Ashton arrived at S&P after a stint in Kosovo following the civil war, where he led major infrastructure projects for aid agencies and was a consultant to the UN -a far cry from earlier life as an architect in the Royal Household, with responsibilities for example for the refurbishment of the fire damaged Windsor Castle.

Teasdale, who was recently appointed as the new chairman of British Fencing, welcomed Ashton at a meeting of the BISL Sport Group and said: "Keith brings to this important BISL post a breadth of vital experience and creative energy.

"He is the right person to lead our Sport Group efforts to grow the market in challenging economic times."

Said Ashton: "I am delighted to be taking on this role at a time when despite the economic climate and the threats to public sector sport there is real opportunity for creative and holistic leadership in the sector and I am sure the many parties sitting round the table at BISL can deliver that."