Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL) has announced that S&P Architects chief executive officer Keith Ashton has been named chair of its Sports Working Group.

Ashton – a contributor to policy and thinking at BISL over the past few years – will succeed David Teasdale, who is the new executive chair of the organisation. Teasdale said: "Keith brings to this important BISL post a breadth of vital experience and creative energy. He is the right person to lead our Sport Group efforts to Grow the Market in challenging economic times."

Ashton added: "Despite the economic climate and the threats to public sector sport, there is real opportunity for creative and holistic leadership in the sector and I am sure the many parties sitting round the table at BISL can deliver that."