UK Sport has appointed Simon Morton as its new director of major events and international relations, a post created following a 'realignment' of the agency's senior team.

Morton joins the organisation after chief operating officer Tim Hollingsworth left to take up the position of chief executive at the British Paralympic Association. In the new position, Morton will be responsible for strengthening the focus on UK Sport's Major Events strategy and to integrate international relations aims.

Morton said: "The UK will be an incredible place to host major sporting events after London 2012 and Glasgow 2014, and we will seek to use these opportunities to establish the UK as a leading host of major international events. "Aligned to this, our relationships with international sporting federations have never been more important, and it is critical that the UK plays its part to support the international community in promoting, governing and developing sport."