Lindsay (pictured top), who will be based at the ACGA offices in Melbourne, brings to the role over 20 years of international communications experience with high profile brands.

Originally from Glasgow in Scotland, he led the communications team for Tennis Australia and the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament for six years from 2001 to 2007, before moving into the corporate world to head up the media team for Australian car maker GM Holden.

Most recently, he has been in charge of media relations for international development and advocacy agency Oxfam Australia.

He will now be responsible for communications and public relations for the ACGA and for promoting its programmes, which include the Australian team that will compete at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The move comes less than a year after Australia won the right to stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

"The communication environment is changing rapidly with the public wanting more information, more regularly and through more channels which we'll be looking to deliver through this role," said ACGA chief executive Perry Crosswhite.

"John's strong sports background in both the Commonwealth Games and in major events, coupled with his experience working in high profile brands in the corporate and NGO sectors will be a real strength in this role."

Perry Crosswhite says John Lindsay will provide real strength as the organisation’s new communications and public relations manager

Before moving to Australia in 2001, Lindsay headed up the communications for the national agency for developing sport, sportscotland.

This role included public relations for the Scottish Commonwealth Games Association and the Scottish Institute of Sport.

He worked in a media liaison role with the Scottish Commonwealth Games team at Kuala Lumpur 1998, Melbourne 2006 and the inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh in 2000.

He also worked in media liaison with the ParalympicsGB team at the Sydney 2000 Games and for the Australian Davis Cup Team on 14 ties, including two home finals.

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be his first major event in the new role before eyes turn to Gold Coast 2018.

"The fact that he is originally from Glasgow and speaks Glaswegian will be an added bonus," added Crosswhite.

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