Two members have resigned from the Board for the London 2017 World Championships, due to be held in the London 2012 Olympic Stadium ©Getty Images

Two key officials involved in the organisation of next year's International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in London have resigned following divisions over how best to take preparations forward.

Heather Hancock, a former managing partner at Deloitte UK, the deputy chair of the London 2017 Board, is among those to have relinquished her role following a meeting this week.

Audit Committee chair Martin Stewart, unveiled last month as the English Football Association's new chief financial officer, has also left.

It is the culmination of widely reported divisions within the Board over preparations, with these members having become disillusioned with the leadership of UK Athletics and London 2017 chairman Ed Warner and chief executive Niels de Vos.

It is claimed, however, that the two individuals effectively walked before they were pushed after having unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow Warner and assume control.

Heather Hancock is one of two London 2017 Board members to have resigned from their roles ©Getty Images
Heather Hancock is one of two London 2017 Board members to have resigned from their roles ©Getty Images

"Clearly these two people made a power-push to force UKA out the project," insidethegames was told.

"This was unsuccessful so they were essentially shown the door."

Concerns that the Board is spearheaded by the same two individuals that lead UK Athletics is at the heart of the dispute, leading to criticism that the interests of the national federation are being prioritised over those of London 2017.

Tensions have also been reported between Warner and de Vos and London 2017 managing director Sally Bolton, who remains in her post.

insidethegames understands that a full governance review is currently ongoing in conjunction with the IAAF, with results due to be finalised and published in the next few days.

A more central role for other stakeholders, such as the Greater London Authority, is also being considered.

The leadership role played by UK Athletics is expected to remain unchanged, however.

There have been criticisms of the leadership of Ed Warner for next year's IAAF World Championships and claims there a possible conflict of interest with him having the same role at UK Athletics ©Getty Images
There have been criticisms of the leadership of Ed Warner for next year's IAAF World Championships and claims there a possible conflict of interest with him having the same role at UK Athletics ©Getty Images

Two new Board members are also set to be appointed to replace Hancock and Stewart.

"UK Athletics and London 2017 are fully focussed on the successful delivery of the two 2017 World Athletics Championships and will not comment on any media speculation," a spokesperson for both bodies told insidethegames in a statement, their only public response.

The World Championships are scheduled to take place at London's Olympic Stadium from August 5 to 13 in 2017.

This latest controversy follows speculation last week that London 2017 are considering attempts to remove the IAAF brand from all promotion in order to separate themselves from the under-fire world governing body, following the corruption scandal involving former President Lamine Diack in recent months.