Harris has significant experience of the elite British sporting landscape through his ongoing role as chair of British Shooting.

British Curling claims his appointment and experience strengthens the Board at an important time as the search for a new executive performance director is ongoing.

"I am delighted to have been asked to assist British Curling and I look forward to working with everyone involved with the elite programme," Harris said.

Harris is a chartered chemical engineer and having worked in the chemical, oil and gas industries, he ultimately became chief executive of Calor Group plc and a senior vice-president of a large global company based in Utrecht. 

He has lived and worked in both Great Britain and The Netherlands, gaining experience in business planning, organisational development and performance improvement.

On retiring from corporate life, Harris became a mentor and coach in both the private and public sectors, including UK Sport and the English Institute of Sport.

He was appointed as British Shooting's first independent chairman in October 2011.

British Curling will also welcome Phil Reid as interim performance director from Saturday (June 1). 

Reid has been seconded to the role from sportscotland, replacing Graeme Thompson, and he will remain in post until the new executive performance director is appointed.

Writing for The Courier earlier this month, Sochi 2014 Olympic bronze medallist Eve Muirhead made reference to Thompson stepping down.

"This is turning out to be a real crossroads time for my sport," the 29-year-old, who was crowned world champion with Scotland in 2013, wrote.

"The process of hiring coaches for the elite programme is underway and the team selections for that programme are also being considered.

"It goes without saying that getting the right man or woman at the top of your sport is crucial.

"We want to get back to being the best in the world.

"Graeme had experience as a performance director for water polo and rugby league but I think it’s important that his successor has a deep knowledge of curling."