UK Athletics has appointed Nic Coward as its interim chief executive.

Coward is a former general secretary of the English Premier League and CEO of the British Horseracing Authority. He has also had two spells as the acting CEO of the Football Association and is the current chair of England Golf.

Coward will lead the national governing body until a permanent appointment is made through the ongoing CEO recruitment process.

UK Athletics has been without a permanent CEO for nearly 18 months, following the stepping down of Niels de Vos in September 2018.

It is hoped that Coward's appointment will provide some stability at the NGB, ahead of this summer's Olympic Games.

"Athletics is a sport that captures the nation’s imagination each and every year, but an Olympic and Paralympic year is even more special," Coward said.

"I’m looking forward to working with the board and all the team, across the organisation, at such an important time for the sport."