The appointments were announced at the RLIF’s annual general meeting in York in England.

Former Scotland international Thompson was chosen to replace John Grant as the chair of the International Federation.

He is the first chair not to come from Australia, England or New Zealand.

Thompson praised the role of Grant in reforming the organisation during his tenure as chair.

"It is both an honour and a privilege to take up this role," Thompson, who also serves as the performance director for British Curling, said.

"My predecessor, John Grant, played a significant role in his time as chair.

"None more so than on governance reform of the organisation.

"It is important to continue that work to bring in these modernising reforms in the early part of next year."

Thompson added: "We are growing the profile of our game within the international sporting landscape. We are seeing more countries playing rugby league.

"The very recent qualification by Jamaica to the next World Cup demonstrates that rugby league welcomes all countries to be part of our family and there is a clear pathway to be part of our sport’s most prestigious event."

Beattie was voted as the deputy chair of the Federation and predicted international rugby league is set to enter a “new era of expansion”.

He currently serves as the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, having become chair of the organisation in February.

Beattie is a former Premier of Queensland and took on a prominent role in the preparations and delivering of this year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

The Australia served as chairman of the Gold Coast 2018 Organising Committee.

The RLIF also announced that Greg Peters was appointed to the organisation’s Board at the meeting.

Peters is the chief executive of New Zealand Rugby League.