Rowley joins British snatch record holder Tommy Yule, who was appointed as performance director last week, with a new chief executive also expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Rowley has had a successful career in retail finance, banking and building societies, serving as director and chief executive of Darlington Building Society for 17 years.

He also has plenty of experience in sport, however, and he will continue to serve as Sport England's Regional Champion for Community Sport in the North East, as an independent chair of SkillsActive UK, the Sector Skills Council for Sport and Active Leisure, and an independent member of UK Sport's Audit Committee.

"This is a great time to be involved in sport, and I'm delighted to become part of British Weight Lifting as it embarks on a new era for the sport and a new funding cycle," said Rowley.

"I look forward to working with our members, stakeholders, our new chief executive and the team that has made British Weight Lifting an innovative, focused and respected National Governing Body."

Interim chairman and BWL Board member, Philip Young, said: "In line with driving the organisation forward, Peter will play a key role in strengthening our new structure.

"This will ensure our position as the leading provider of lifting-focused competition, education and development opportunities, continue to enhance sport participation over the next four years and build upon 2012 success to deliver competitive weightlifting and powerlifting teams for the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics."

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April 2013: Yule named new performance director for British Weight Lifting