LONDON: Martin Glenn, a former Leicester director and chief executive of United Biscuits, has been appointed chief executive of the Football Association.

The 54-year-old Wolves fan and FA-qualified grassroots coach is well known for having signed up Gary Lineker as the face of Walkers Crisps. He takes over on May 18.

Glenn succeeds Alex Horne who stepped down as general secretary in January.

He said: “I am incredibly proud to have been chosen to play my part in shaping the future direction of the FA. There are few more important and interesting places to work than Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park and I am very much looking forward to meeting the staff and leading them into an exciting new period.”

Glenn was on Leicester’s board as a non-executive director between 2002 and 2006. Greg Dyke, the FA chairman who has set the target of England winning the World Cup in 2022, said Glenn would spearhead the governing body’s development.

Dyke said: “He brings with him a wealth of experience as a CEO to what is an extremely important role in English football, and he will play a key part in helping us shape and deliver our new strategic priorities for the years ahead.

“I know, as a football fan, he will take great pride in the job and he will be an asset to the FA and will lead the organisation through a significant period of change.

“Martin came through a highly competitive process, and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us. He is a natural leader and I look forward to working with him.”

Glenn said he hoped his experience would help England teams achieve more success in international tournaments.

He added: “I have coached football at grassroots level, have sat on the Board of a Premier League football club and have spent my time on the terraces at Molineux where I have a season ticket; I hope this informs my work at the FA as we look to inspire everyone to be involved in what is the nation’s most watched and played team sport.

“I very much hope my personal experience of operating in highly competitive global markets will help the FA in its own drive to promote greater success for our all of our national teams in international tournaments.”

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