London 2012 gold medallist Dame Katherine Grainger has been appointed as the new chair of UK Sport.

Britain’s most decorated female Olympic athlete – who also won silver medals at the 2016, 2008, 2004 and 2000 Games – will replace outgoing chair Rod Carr in July.

Carr steps down in April after completing one four-year term.

UK Sport board member Lis Astall takes the over as interim chair in the meantime.

The appointment was made by culture secretary Karen Bradley.

Sports minister Tracey Crouch said that Grainger was an “inspiring” choice, and thanked Carr for his “superb work at the helm”.

“As one of our greatest ever Olympians, she has an outstanding understanding of high performance sport, and through her educational and charity work has a proven commitment to inclusion,” Crouch added.

Grainger – who will be paid £40,000 per year for the role – said she was “thrilled” and “honoured”.

“I’m also acutely aware of the many challenging issues currently within the sport and I hope to play a role in addressing them,” she added.