The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed Russell James, a former digital and marketing executive at the Football Association, as sales and marketing director.

James has taken up the position after recently leaving his role as the FA’s digital engagement director, a post he had held since the start of 2017 as he led the football body’s digital transformation programme.

He previously held the position of marketing at the FA throughout 2016, having come on board as head of marketing two years earlier.

Earlier this year, the ECB named Tony Singh as its new chief commercial officer. Singh left his position as content and business development director at BT and replaced Sanjay Patel, who switched to focus solely on his role as managing director of The Hundred, the ECB’s new short-format competition.

Along with Singh, James will work in the commercial and marketing department with Rob Calder, commercial director at The Hundred, Clare Todd, head of commercial, and Rebecca Maskrey, head of marketing.

James began his career at personal care and household products giant Procter & Gamble, where he ended up staying over a decade in various brand management and digital marketing positions. In 2011, he became marketing director, luxury and lifestyle brands EMEA at Hilton Worldwide, the US-based hotel and resorts operator.