Manu Sawhney has been appointed the new chief executive officer of the International Cricket Council.

Sawhney, the former CEO of Singapore Sports Hub and managing director of ESPN Star Sports, will join the organisation in mid-February before formally taking over from David Richardson in July following the World Cup.

Sawhney said: “It is a great privilege and responsibility to serve the global cricket community as CEO of the ICC. The sport has more than a billion fans and an ambitious growth strategy so it is a very exciting time to lead the organisation.

“I’d like to thank the ICC board for giving me this opportunity and look forward to working with them, our members, the team and ICC’s incredible partners and cricketers around the world to propel the sport forward into a period of significant and sustained global growth in the coming years.”

Sawhney’s appointment was ratified by the ICC board following a global search led by ICC chairman Shashank Manohar.

Manohar said: “I am delighted to confirm Manu’s appointment today. He brings 22 years of outstanding commercial experience to the ICC and will lead the delivery of our new global growth strategy for the game.

“Our search produced a host of excellent candidates from around the world, but Manu stood out as the man to work with our members and take cricket forward.”