Graham succeeds Adam Paker, who is due to take up the equivalent post with the Amateur Swimming Association in November after three years leading CGE.

"I am extremely proud to have the opportunity to help Commonwealth Games England build on the successes achieved at Glasgow 2014," said Graham.

"From a young age, the Commonwealth Games have given me some of my favourite sporting memories and I am delighted to have been given the chance to support Team England as we look to defend our position at the top of the medal table.

"My priorities over the coming six months will be to participate in the CGE Glasgow 2014 review, work with the CGE board to shape our strategy to Gold Coast 2018 and securing additional revenue to best equip Team England to be successful."

During his tenure as chief executive of the PSA, Graham re-structured the professional tour and secured the organisation's first media contract.

Since then, he has set up a specialist recruitment consultancy, Impact Sports Recruitment, serving the international business of sport and working with a range of football clubs and federations.

Formerly the commercial director of tennis' Miami Masters event and chief operating officer at the sports media agency, Parallel Media Group, Graham has also carried out a number of non-executive director and advisor roles in swimming, rugby league, football, and for the charity, Sporting Equals.

Richard Graham was formerly the commercial director of tennis' Miami Masters event
©Getty Images




"We are delighted to appoint Richard Graham as the interim chief executive for Commonwealth Games England," said Sir Andrew Foster, chairman of CGE.

"Throughout the selection process he impressed us with his energy, passion for the Commonwealth Games and experience at a senior level across a range of sports.

"Richard has some well-considered ideas on how to develop our strategy in the short and long term.

"I am confident that Richard, together with CGE's chairman-designate, Ian Metcalfe, will provide the right leadership for the organisation during its next phase."

Metcalfe, the chairman of the Professional Game Board of the Rugby Football Union, who was announced as Sir Andrew's successor last month, added: "Both Richard and I will take up our posts in November and he will work with me to shape the future direction of CGE as we move towards the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa in less than a year and then onto the Gold Coast in 2018.

"With Samoa approaching quickly, it is important that our Games team have day-to-day leadership and our strategic approach for this four-year cycle can be developed and implemented as soon as possible.

"Richard's flexibility as an interim chief executive means we can move quickly and not waste a single day."

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