Andy Anson, the former chief executive of England's unsuccessful bid for the 2018 football World Cup, has been announced as one of two new independent directors of the British Olympic Association.

Anson, formerly commercial director of Manchester United and head of the ATP tennis tour, will join commercial lawyer Denise Jagger as non-executive directors on the 16-strong board.

Anson said: "It is an exciting moment in time to be involved with Olympic sport in the UK and I am thrilled to be able to add my commercial and sports management experience to the BOA board at the governance level to benefit Team GB athletes in London 2012 and beyond.

"I will use my global commercial insight from my work in football, tennis and the media to provide advice and guidance to support the wider family of Olympic sports and look forward to strengthening connections with the BOA's key stakeholders."

Jagger, a partner with international law firm Eversheds, was previously a director of ASDA.