Appointment follows departure of outgoing director Jason Gardener, who has become president of UK Athletics

UK Athletics (UKA) has announced the appointment of David Bedford as a non-executive director who has joined with immediate effect.

Bedford joins the board of UKA in a non-executive capacity following an open recruitment process. His appointment follows the departure of outgoing director Jason Gardener, who has stepped down from the board in order to take up the role of president of UKA.

Bedford, who held the 10,000m world record from 1973-1977 as well as the British 3000m steeplechase and 5000m records, has spent much of his life involved in athletics. In his post-competitive career he is perhaps best known for his position as race director of the London Marathon until 2012 and he serves in a number of roles, notably chairing the IAAF road running commission and, until 2015, sitting on the IAAF cross country committee.

"I am excited to be re-joining UK Athletics at this later stage of my life," said Bedford. "I feel that the experience I have gained through my work at the London Marathon and the IAAF will help me to contribute to our sport at this both difficult and exciting time."

Ed Warner, chairman of UKA said: "I am delighted to welcome David Bedford as UKA's new non-executive board director. David has a wealth of competitive, administrative and leadership experience across the sport.

"I'm sure his contribution will prove invaluable to the development of British Athletics over the coming years."