Former television executive Gary Hughes has joined the Scottish Football Association as its second non-executive director.

Mr Hughes, 53, is operating executive with Apax Partners, an independent global investment management company and holds non-executive directorships with J Sainsbury, Premier Farnell and Smart Technologies.

He is deputy chairman of The People’s Operator and is a senior independent chair of SECC.

In his earlier career, he was group finance director for Scottish Media Group from 1996-2000. SMG subsequently sold a number of businesses and re-emerged as STV.

The appointment of a second independent non-executive director to the SFA board is in line with a governance recommendation from the McLeish Review of Scottish Football. The position will replace the second vice-president role, which will cease at the general meeting on 9 June.

Stewart Regan, Scottish FA chief executive, said: “Alongside Barrie Jackson, our first non-executive director, Gary will offer an invaluable business perspective to Scottish football in addition to his passion for football and sport.”

Mr Hughes said: “Whilst  football in Scotland does have its challenges, it also has significant opportunity and I look forward to working with the board, the management team and all the major stakeholders to help create a successful and a sustainable future for our national game.”