Cote was the chairman of the successful Bromont/Montreal campaign that was awarded the 2018 World Equestrian Games in June by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), beating off a rival bid from Lexington in Kentucky.

Cote is a member of the Equine Canada Board and President of the Fédération Equestre du Québec.

The father of three was also the President and chief executive of Via Rail Canada, an independent Crown Corporation which operates the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, until his retirement in 2010.

Since then, Cote has been working with Montreal Metropolitan Transit Authority in various executive roles and, recently, as a special consultant.

"Paul has done a fantastic job as the chair of the Bid Committee, so I am sure he will do a fantastic job as the chief executive of the Organising Committee," said Michael Gallagher, who represented Equine Canada on the Bid Committee and was also on the governing body's Selection Committee that appointed Cote.

The Canadian bid had been initially rejected by the FEI Bureau in July 2013 due to financial concerns but subsequent Government backing led to a resubmission of the bid which was eventually successful.

The Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park, a venue for the Montreal 1976 Olympics, is set to be the hub for the 2018 Games, the first time they will have been held in Canada. 

Bromont will welcome the world's best riders and horses for the 2018 World Equestrian Games ©Getty Images