The FAI have confirmed that Jonathan Hill will take over as new CEO from 1 November 2020.
The five-person interview panel last month recommended that Hill, a former commercial director of the English FA, should take over ahead of rival candidates, Olympic Federation of Ireland President Sarah Keane and ex-Six Nations director John Feehan.
In addition to his post as commercial director at the FA, the 57-year-old Englishman served as commercial director of Wembley Stadium and previously as the commercial director of Euro 96.
He also worked as CEO of the Laureus World Sports Awards.
The new CEO told FAI.ie that he was excited to oversee the "business transformation within the organisation."
"I am truly honoured to be appointed to the role of CEO of the FAI and I am greatly looking forward to working with the staff, the wider football community, our commercial stakeholders and the Government moving forward, driving the development of football at every level within Ireland, overseeing the ongoing process of business transformation within the organisation and, of course, facing the challenges that Covid presents for our game."
FAI President Gerry McAnaney hailed the appointment of Hill as a "turning point for Irish football"
"Jonathan's appointment is set to be a turning point for Irish football after the events of the last 18 months and we all wish him well with this new role. I would also like to thank interim CEO Gary Owens for his immense contribution and invaluable leadership in his time with us. Gary brought great stability to the FAI over the last 10 months and my hope is that Gary will remain involved with Irish football in some way going forward."
Welcoming the appointment, FAI Board Chairperson Roy Barrett said: "I know Jonathan's experience in the commercial and football worlds will bring real benefit to the FAI and I look forward to working with him on behalf of all our stakeholders as we build for the future."
Interim CEO Gary Owens said: "I really look forward to Jonathan’s arrival and working alongside him in the transition period. I know from experience that he is about to join a really strong team and I want to thank all the staff for the significant progress made and their hard work over the last 10 months."
In their statement, the FAI disclosed that Hill will work between London and Dublin initially but will be based in the latter as soon as it safe to do so.
