Nik Diaper, the former head of sport science and medicine for Paralympic sport at the English Institute of Sport (EIS), has joined the British Paralympic Association (BPA).

Diaper takes the organisation’s head of performance role and will report to director of sport and chef de mission Penny Briscoe.

In the role, Diaper will lead the BPA’s preparations for athletes’ performance support across the next winter and summer Paralympic Games, and act as deputy chef du mission for Pyeongchang 2018.

He replaces Georgina Sharples – who joined the EIS to head up its Equestrian World Class Programme – on 10 July.

Diaper has attended five Paralympic Games during his time with the EIS.

“I’m excited to form part of a team that is so passionate and committed to making the UK a world-leading Paralympic nation on and off the field of play,” he said.

“I look forward to continuing to strengthen performance relationships with both winter and summer Paralympic sports, as well as system partners, to ensure the best prepared ParalympicsGB team at future Paralympic Games.”

Briscoe said Diaper had the “skills and experience needed to strengthen the team, while BPA chief executive Tim Hollingsworth added that it was a “strong appointment”.