The current head of UK Athletics' international and televised events replaces Sally Bolton, who stepped down last month amid tension within the Organising Committee.

Bolton, who previously worked on the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, resigned less than a week after two other Board members stepped aside with reports alleging a power battle with London 2017 chair Ed Warner and chief executive Niels de Vos.

Heather Hancock, a former managing partner at Deloitte UK and the deputy chair of the London 2017 Board, as well as Audit Committee chair Martin Stewart, departed with claims circling that those leaving had become "disillusioned" with de Vos and Warner's leadership.

It was thought that conflict of interest claims had arisen with Warner and de Vos also working at UK Athletics, as chairman and chief executive respectively.

Interests of UK Athletics were prioritised over those of London 2017, it was claimed.

insidethegames was told that Hancock and Stewart walked before they were pushed after unsuccessfully trying to overthrow Warner, with Bolton's exit linked to a similar dispute.

As part of a bid to ease the situation, it was announced earlier this month that de Vos will move to a new "director" role and that a co-chair will serve alongside Warner.

Alexander, whose current roles will be looked after on an interim basis while she works on London, has been involved in athletics for 35 years, including 25 at UK Athletics.

She played a key role during the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to sport.

"I’m thrilled to take on this role for the 2017 World Championships," said Alexander, who also heads the Organising Committee for the London Anniversary Games. 

"Next year will be an amazing time for the sport in the UK and we are determined to strive for the very best Championships ever, delivered by the sport for the whole nation to enjoy.”

London 2017 has claimed that de Vos' new role and the introduction of a co-chairman for Warner will lead to a "clear separation" from UK Athletics.

"Cherry has been at the centre of planning for 2017 since the winning UK Athletics bid for the event back in 2011," said de Vos.

"Her experience of staging major athletics events is second to none and I am delighted that she has accepted the challenge of delivering the biggest event of them all - the IPC and IAAF World Championships.”

Ryan Montgomery, the IPC's summer sport director, added: "Cherry is a natural choice for this role, her ability to get things done, backed up by more than two decades of athletics experience gives us great reassurance that London 2017 will deliver everything it promises."