John Atkinson has been appointed as the new national performance director of British Disability Swimming.

He will leave his current role within British Swimming as director for world class programmes in May to take up the new post, which will involve him drive forward the technical infrastructure of the programme within Britain as well as assuming a team leader role.

Atkinson will be supported by former national performance director Tim Reddish, who will adopt the role of executive director for disability swimming.

Chief executive of British Swimming David Sparkes believes the appointment will enhance opportunities while providing fresh stimulus in the run up to 2012 and beyond.

"John Atkinson will build on the solid foundations built by Tim Reddish and I am sure he will take the programme on to the next level," he said.

"We will be looking for John to make a significant impact in his new role."

Atkinson began his career as an assistant coach at Millfield School in Somerset in 1986 before moving to Australia in 1995.

He joined British Swimming in 2001, tasked with identifying and nurturing the next generation of elite athletes as British national youth coach.

In 2004 Atkinson became director of World Class Programmes for swimming and in 2008 took specific responsibility for the daily training and national team environments.