Anson is one of two new independent directors of the BOA along with commercial lawyer Denise Jagger and the pair will now sit as non-executive directors on the 16-strong BOA Board.

Anson was formerly the commercial director of Manchester United and head of the ATP tennis tour but he is perhaps best known for leading the England 2018 World Cup bid that suffered a humiliating defeat as they went out in the first round of voting last December after gaining just two votes from the 22-man FIFA Executive Committee, one of which came from Englishman Geoff Thompson, as Russia won the right to stage the 2018 World Cup.

"It is an exciting moment in time to be involved with Olympic sport in the UK and I am thrilled to be able to add my commercial and sports management experience to the BOA Board at the governance level to benefit Team GB athletes in London 2012 and beyond," said Anson. 

"I will use my global commercial insight from my work in football, tennis and the media to provide advice and guidance to support the wider family of Olympic sports and look forward to strengthening connections with the BOA's key stakeholders."

Jagger (pictured), meanwhile, works for Eversheds, where she specialises in strategic planning and client service delivery.

"I'm looking forward to taking up the challenge of supporting Britain's Olympic athletes and working with BOA Board members to capitalise on this once in a generation opportunity for British Olympic sport," she said.

"My legal background and consumer expertise will be directed to ensuring that the unprecedented opportunity presented by 2012 is used effectively to inspire future generations and to strengthen and consolidate Olympic sport and its ideals."

The additions to the Board follow the conclusion of a governance review last year which provided the impetus to recruit independent non-executive directors to the Board to complement the skill sets of the elected members from the National Governing Bodies of Olympic sports.

The individuals were selected following a comprehensive recruitment process which resulted in over 90 applicants.

Meanwhile a third independent non-executive director will be added to the BOA Board later this year to chair its Audit Committee.

"I am delighted that these two incredibly talented and experienced individuals have agreed to join the BOA Board as independent non-executive directors," said Colin Moynihan, the chairman of the BOA. 

"Both Denise and Andy bring strong assets to complement the existing skill set of the Board.

"In particular their expertise in the legal and commercial fields will add great value to our strategic planning to ensure that long-term partnerships are developed successfully beyond the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"We look forward to welcoming Denise and Andy to the Board and to receiving their valuable and well respected input."

Both new members will participate in the next BOA Board meeting on May 18 while both have been appointed to their voluntary positions for a two year term.

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