Collins, one of the leading sports administrators in Guernsey and who still competes internationally, replaces Bowls England’s Andy Ewens, who did not seek re-election after an initial two-year stint.

Ewens opted to retire in order to spend more time with his family.

Collins will officially begin the role at the World Bowls Biennial Council Meeting in Christchurch in New Zealand on December 5, with the meeting due to be held as part of the World Championships.

World Bowls said in a statement that Collins "brings a wealth of corporate and local Government experience to his new role".

Regional Directors Karen Murphy and John McArdle will also start their new two-year terms in their respective positions following the meeting.

Murphy was re-elected unopposed as the regional director for Asia and Oceania, while McArdle, who is based in South Africa, continues in the role for the Africa and the Americas area.

The announcement comes after John Bell was unanimously re-elected as President of World Bowls last month.

The 69-year-old Englishman, a former international for his country as well as a world champion, will now serve a second two-year term.

His re-election comes after World Bowls submitted its recognition request file to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) sports department last month.

Acceptance by the IOC would pave the way for potential inclusion at the Olympic Games in future.

Lawn bowls is already an established event at the Commonwealth Games, but the sport's efforts for IOC recognition were previously hindered by a requirement for 75 affiliated countries. 

This has recently been lowered to just 50 nations, however, which gave World Bowls the option of applying.