Stewart Regan has stepped down as chief executive of Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) after accepting an offer to lead the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

The 46-year-old has been named SFA chief executive to replace Gordon Smith, who announced his departure from the national governing body in April after three years in the position. Regan is also former director of the Football League Championship and strategic planning director at Bass Brewers. During his time at YCCC, he oversaw a range of schemes, including the opening of the new £21m Carnegie Pavilion.

SFA president George Peat said: "The role of chief executive requires a wide range of skills and a thick skin but we believe Stewart is the perfect candidate to lead the Scottish FA - and Scottish football, for that matter - through a challenging but exciting period of change." YCCC chair Colin Graves added: "[Stewart] has contributed enormously to the development of the club over the past four years and has delivered everything that we have asked of him."