Former international long-distance runner and British Triathlon chief Zara Hyde Peters OBE has been named the new CEO of UK Athletics.

Her appointment brings to an end a near-one year search for a permanent CEO, following the stepping down of Niels de Vos in September 2018. Since then, Nigel Holl has overseen the operations of the national governing body as interim CEO.

Hyde Peters’ career as an elite athlete saw her compete for Great Britain in endurance events during the 1990s – and she represented England in the 1994 Commonwealth Games in the 10,000m race.

After her active career, she has enjoyed a distinguished career in sports governance.

As well as working for UK Sport, Hyde Peters spent eight years at UK Athletics – from 2000 to 2008 – first as technical director for the endurance running programme and then four years as director of athlete development.

After leaving UK Athletics in 2008, she took up the role of CEO of British Triathlon Federation, where she spent six years, until 2014.

"I'm delighted to be returning to the sport I love and to do so as chief executive of UK Athletics is a massive honour," said Hyde Peters.

"It is an exciting time for the sport. We have a huge opportunity to build on recent successes and I’m excited about being part of the team helping to realise that potential and cement our reputation as a leader in world athletics."