Mark England has been deputy Chef de Mission at six Olympic Games, including London 2012, and Chef de Mission at a number of Olympic Youth Festivals.

The appointment of England, who has been at the BOA for 13 years, was unanimously approved today by its Board.

"I'm hugely honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead the teams heading out to Baku and Rio over the next couple of years," said England.

"I look forward to working with my Team GB colleagues and the National Governing Bodies to ensure the preparations being put in place are world class."

The European Games, due to be held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku from June 12 to 28, will be the inaugural edition.

They are expected to attract more than 6,000 athletes from 49 countries competing in 19 sports.

Rio 2016 is scheduled to take place from August 5 to 21.

Britain's ambitious target of beating its London 2012 medal haul will be one of Mark England's key tasks ©Getty Images



BOA chairman Sebastian Coe said of England's new roles: "I'm delighted that the Board has approved Mark's appointment.

"We have already seen a hugely successful Team GB compete in Sochi earlier this year and we want that momentum to continue at the European Games in Baku and then on to Rio in 2016.

"The athletes on the field of play will ultimately be those who will inspire and excite the British public, but the right support team provides a powerful foundation for the athletes - and the Board has confidence that is exactly what Mark will deliver."

Great Britain has set itself an ambitious target of beating its London 2012 medal haul - its most successful in more than a century with 65 medals, of which 29 were gold

BOA chief executive Bill Sweeney said England "brings a wealth of Olympic knowledge and expertise to the roles".

He added: "Baku 2015 and Rio 2016 will both will require complex planning and Mark's experience and relationships in those cities will help ensure no stone is left unturned in providing Team GB with the best possible environment to perform at its best at both Games."

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