Exeter City have appointed Guy Wolfenden as their new chief executive.
The former Somerset County Cricket Club CEO will begin working at St James' Park on October 1 on leaving a similar role with Warwickshire CCC and succeeds Julian Tagg in the role.
Tagg will continue in his role as vice chairman and will now assume a role that will be mostly centred on working with manager Paul Tisdale, director of football Steve Perryman and the coaching staff to develop a structure and methods of working to equip the club for future success.
He will also be the responsible director for the centre of excellence (Academy) and the football in the community charity, whilst remaining on the board of directors.
Wolfenden, 40, lives in Taunton with his wife and three children and has strong expertise in sports management. He will join City as the most senior member of staff and head of all operations.
A statement released by the club read: "After the departure of Norrie Stewart in 2011, Julian Tagg agreed to the board's request to take on both his existing role of executive director of football and that of acting chief executive for a period of two years to give the board time to reflect on the best way forward. It is now more than two years since that temporary arrangement came into existence.
"As time has progressed, the combined workload has increased to the extent that it is vital that there is now a restructuring of the senior management roles within the club to set the framework for further progress on and off the field.
"In planning for this appointment, and considering that it will be Guy's role to allow the club to undertake the next phase of its succession plans in various parts of its off-pitch structure, the club and Supporter's Trust have ensured that the costs involved in appointing Guy have been appropriately and adequately budgeted for.
"In addition, Guy's compensation package has a bias towards rewarding performance over and above the current baseline budget being worked to, so Guy will be keen to deliver in line with our shared expectations for moving the club forward."
On his appointment, Wolfenden said: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to take up the role of chief executive at Exeter City. I am genuinely excited to be able to work with the Supporters' Trust, board and all the staff to continue to build on the fantastic supporter and commercial support the Grecians currently enjoy and to continue providing exciting football for all to watch."
Outgoing CEO Tagg added: "It has been a privilege and pleasure to have responded to the request to the work on an interim basis with the current boards, staff and volunteers to ensure stability and continuity across the whole club for the last two plus years whilst work continued towards this latest progression of the club's evolution.
"Guy's introduction will bring vast experience and drive which will allow him singular focus on commercial, sales, marketing, operations, and communications meaning I can return my focus to my first loves at Exeter City – the youth Academy , football in the community and football, where there is much to be done.
"I remain fully committed to the cause, to continuing to deliver my best as a member of the board of the club, and very much look forward to working with Guy."
Wolfenden's appointment was also welcomed by the Supporter's Trust, who were involved in his recruitment. Chairman Laurence Overand said: "On behalf of the Trust, I am very pleased to be able to welcome Guy to the Club.
"When speaking with Guy I have been struck by his enthusiasm and commitment to supporter engagement. He has a proven track record in the commercial field of sport and although his background is in cricket, he clearly grasped the issues that are involved in being the CEO of a supporters-owned League football club. I have no doubt he will be very successful in his new role."
