Maclennan is SPFL chief

The deputy chairman of Telegraph Media Group, Murdoch Maclennan, has been appointed as the chairman of the Scottish Professional Football League.

The 68-year-old, who became TMG’S deputy chairman last month after 13 years as chief executive, will replace Ralph Topping, who is standing down on Aug 1.

Hailing from Glasgow, Maclennan is also chairman of the Press Association, an honorary professor at the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School and, for the past eight years, has been the Chancellor’s Assessor at the Court of the University of Glasgow.

The SPFL chief executive, Neil Doncaster, said: “Murdoch brings with him a wealth of top-level business and media experience and has been at the cutting edge of the digital revolution as CEO and now deputy chairman of the Telegraph Media Group. He demonstrated a real passion for the role and a clear insight into the opportunities and challenges we will face.

“There was very strong interest in the role from a host of highly qualified candidates, but Murdoch was the board’s unanimous choice.”

Maclennan added: “I am thrilled to have been selected to be the next chairman of the Scottish Professional Football League, and to build on the achievements of Ralph Topping.

“I am so proud to be a part of its future. I greatly look forward to working with Neil Doncaster and to the opportunities and challenges that are ahead for Scottish football.”

Outgoing chairman Topping said: “I’ve greatly enjoyed my time in Scottish football and it was an honour to be chairman of the SPL and SPFL. I am delighted my final act as chairman is to have secured the appointment of Murdoch as the new chairman.”