A FATHER-of-two has been appointed chief executive officer on an interim basis at scottishathletics.

Mark Munro, of Dunbar, follows in the footsteps of Nigel Holl, who leaves his post at the beginning of next month after a six-year spell to join UK Athletics as director of strategy and partnerships.

Thirty-eight-year-old Mark was the head of development for the last five years and will take over the vacated position for the time being.

He said: “It’s an honour.

“I also serve on the board for Tennis Scotland and there has been a lot of progress and positive things at scottishathletics in the last five years.

“We have four athletes – Beth Potter qualified in the 10,000 metres at the weekend – on the plane to Rio [for the Olympics] and we could have 10 or 11.

“It could be the best haul for a long time.

“I’m absolutely over the moon with what is happening in athletics in Scotland.”

Mark, who attended both Dunbar Primary School and Dunbar Grammar School, was the town’s running club’s first-ever national champion and one of the club’s founding members.

Before that, he competed for Haddington Running Club, under the coaching of Henry Muchamore.

Ian Beattie, chairman of scottishathletics, said he believed that the appointment helped maintain essential momentum and continuity and also allowed the board more time to weigh up important decisions.

It is foreseen that the chief executive role will be advertised towards the end of the summer, with a view to a permanent appointment later this year.

Mr Beattie said: “I am delighted to say that Mark is keen to take on the CEO role on an interim basis, following discussions.

“The board has agreed that it makes sense for Mark to step in and take on this role fairly quickly, as we feel that will give us much more stability over the next few months.

“We’ve agreed that Nigel will leave scottishathletics on June 1 and Mark will take on the role of interim CEO from that date.

“Nigel, however, will attend our next board meeting on June 13 to help ensure a smooth transition.”