Hanson, previously a Captain in the British Army and First Secretary in the British Diplomatic Service, had been in the running to replace Sue Campbell as chair of UK Sport after her term ended but the role was given to Rod Carr.

The Cambridge University graduate has been a member of UK Sport Board since June 2011 and chair of its Major Events Panel, where he presided over the strategic investment of a record £355 million ($542 million/€415 million) of National Lottery and Exchequer funding into Olympic and Paralympic sport last December.

Hanson also represents UK Sport and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) interests on the Board of the World Athletic Championships London 2017.

In his new role, Hanson will work closely with Carr and the UK Sport Board with the focus on delivering medal success at the Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"It is a great honour to be made deputy chair of the UK Sport Board at a time when British elite sport has never been in better shape," said Hanson.

"I have immensely enjoyed the past two years serving as a Board member and I am now looking forward to the new challenges that my role as deputy chair will bring."

The announcement was welcomed by Hugh Robertson, Britain's Sports Minister.

"This is an excellent appointment," he said.

"I look forward to working closely with Mark on UK Sport's ambition to win more medals in Rio in 2016 and to land more major sporting events as part of the legacy from London 2012."

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