The 41-year-old, who has represented Scotland in international ultra-marathon events, is currently charged with strategic and operational matters, in addition to performance management in his role with netball, and has been instrumental in the establishment of the Co-operative Netball Superleague, which televised on Sky Sports.

He replaces Geoff Wightman, the former British international marathon runner, who is leaving to take up a new role as the first-ever managing director of British Road Running.

Holl was previously employed as performance director at England Netball, and directly responsible for England national teams and their rise from fourth to third in the world rankings, including winning Commonwealth Games bronze at Melbourne in 2006.

Stirling-based Holl, who was involved in the set-up and establishment of the Scottish Institute of Sport and subsequently employed as a programme manager, has also worked for the England Hockey Association as director of the English Hockey Network, and for the All England Women’s Hockey Association as director of coaching.

He will commence in post on April 1, and is likely to step down from his position as Board Director with Commonwealth Games England.

Holl said: "I am both delighted and honoured to take up the challenge of this appointment.

"The unprecedented opportunities offered by a home Olympics followed two years later by a home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow [in 2014] are hugely significant for athletes, coaches, club members and volunteers at all levels of athletics in Scotland, and I look forward to maximising the benefits to the sport through these and other opportunities."

Frank Dick, the chairman of Scottish Athletics, said: "I am delighted that Nigel will lead the Scottish Athletics executive team as we raise our rhythm of operations to address necessary change in this period of wonderful opportunity for Scottish athletics."