The Professional Squash Association has appointed Lee Beachill to the position Chief Operating Officer of the PSA, with effect from today (Tuesday).  The former world number one succeeds Alex Gough, who was recently promoted to Chief Executive.

Beachill's appointment follows a review of the position and its requirements conducted by Gough over the past few weeks.  "I have given much thought to the role and how I would like to see it defined, with a clear division of responsibilities between COO and CEO," said Gough.  "Having done that, the desired qualities of a successful candidate became clear."

Beachill had served as President of the PSA, and his contributions to meetings and the general business of policy-making had impressed the Board.  Having been around the game of squash all his life, Beachill is well-known among the stakeholder community - although this, stressed Ziad Al-Turki, Chairman of the PSA Board, was not pre-requisite for the role.

"Obviously Lee's profile as a former player is helpful, in that it allows him to hit the ground running in this new role, but it was his consistently high quality contributions to board meetings and the respect with which he is held by the squash community that first alerted us to his potential as a candidate," said Al-Turki today.

Following Gough's elevation to CEO last month and his announcement that he would be applying due diligence to the process of recruitment, several CVs were received by the PSA - and a shortlist of candidates carefully considered.

"Lee did well to come out on top of a strong group," emphasised Gough.

Beachill's immediate tasks will be related to the re-launching of the PSA Tour in 2010 and the current review of TV and webcasting rights, which are due to reach a conclusion towards the end of May.

"I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to work for the PSA as the new COO," said Beachill.  "I feel my relationship with the players, promoters and staff will help me in fulfilling the role as defined by the CEO - and I'm really looking forward to working for the Association which has given me so much over the years.

"I fully understand that this will be a 24/7 job - but I feel my love for the sport and determination to succeed are the reasons I was given this opportunity."

The PSA manages and promotes the men’s world professional squash circuit from its head office in Cardiff, Wales.  The annual PSA World Tour, which forms the backbone of men's elite squash, features over 100 events in more than 50 countries.