The 32-year-old replaces Belgium's Yuhan Tan, whose four-year term came to an end last month.

He was chosen as the new chair by his fellow Commission members after a new line-up for the body was confirmed during the BWF Sudirman Cup in Gold Coast in May.

Ridder, the former vice-chair, has already served for two years and will be chair for another two until his term expires.

It means that he will also serve as a member of the BWF's ruling Council.

"I worked very closely as vice-chair with Yuhan Tan who did a great job," said Ridder. 

"I will use the knowledge which I gained during that time.

"I hope we can take the Athletes' Commission to the next level by intensifying our communication and discussions with BWF, using information and developments we receive from the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission and improving our communication with our non-English-speaking athletes."

BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer said the input of players was of vital importance.

"Our players are a key stakeholder within our international federation and it is crucial they have a strong voice at the BWF's highest level," said the Dane, who won the men's singles Olympic title at Atlanta 1996.

"We look forward to Koen's fruitful contribution in this regard."

Shintaro Ikeda of Japan and India's Saina Nehwal also have two years left on the Commission after initially joining in 2015.

India's Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu, Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour, Lithuania's Akvilė Stapusaityte and Germany's Marc Zwiebler were elected as new members last month.

Zwiebler is the new vice-chair. 

Denmark's Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus and Indonesia's Greysia Polii stepped down after exceeding their term limit, along with Tan. 

"I want to thank everybody for the co-operation over the past years," Tan said.

"It has certainly been a privilege to represent the athletes and I wish the Athletes' Commission all the best going forward."