The appointment of the 51-year-old comes two weeks after he had been expected to be appointed chief executive.

 

The new role in the BOA organisation brings together the three areas of brand, communications/public affairs and business partner development.

 

Chambers will reported directly to Andy Hunt, who started as the BOA chief executive last week.

 

Chambers has spent over 29 years in marketing communications and sports sponsorship. 

 

He worked for 15 years in leading marketing communications agencies Saatchi & Saatchi, Young & Rubicam and Hill & Knowlton; running global accounts such as Ford, P&G and Amex in over 30 countries, living in London, Paris and New York.

 

In 1995 he became a shareholder in Prodrive, the leading automotive engineering consultancy.

 

Over a ten year period Chambers ran commercial and communications programmes for clients such as Subaru, Honda, Ford and British American Tobacco.

 

During this time Prodrive won multiple Touring Car, Le Mans and World Rally titles, with drivers such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns.

 

In 2002 Prodrive took over responsibility for the running of the BAR Honda Formula 1 team where Chambers held the role of commercial director; this culminated with second place in the 2004 FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) F1 World Championship for Constructors.

 

In 2005 Chambers sold his shareholding in Prodrive and has since then been working as a marketing consultant for a wide variety of clients in Europe and the the United States. 

 

Hunt said: "With Hugh taking on responsibility for the brand, communications and partner development at the BOA I know that we have someone with the very highest level of worldwide experience combining marketing and sport.

 

"I also expect Hugh to play an important part in the new executive management team at the BOA, and look forward to working closely with him on all aspects of the commercial performance of our organisation.”

 

Colin Moynihan, chairman of the BOA, said: "The BOA now has a world class commercial team with Andy Hunt as CEO and Hugh running the day to day operations in this arena – we have a very exciting future ahead of us.”

 

Chambers, an active triathlete and sailor, said: “I am delighted to be taking on responsibility for all commercial aspects of the British Olympic Association at this exciting time in its history.

 

"After Team GB’s great success in Beijing we now need to gear up to London 2012 as the host nation National Olympic Committee with all the increased responsibilities that this brings.

 

"Equally the phase after 2012 represents a tremendous range of possibilities with the BOA at the centre. We have a golden opportunity to lift the role and impact of the BOA onto a different level.”