David Southern appointed Hearts chief executive

Southern previously worked as Hearts' director of communications

Hearts have appointed David Southern as their new chief executive.

The 44-year-old joined the Edinburgh club in 2005 and previously worked as marketing and communications director.

He takes over from Campbell Ogilvie who left the club in the summer to concentrate on his work with the Scottish Football Association.

"It's good to have people in the team who are as passionate and as knowledgeable in football business," said director Sergejus Fedotovas.

David Southern told the Hearts website: "Naturally I am delighted to continue supporting the board's work in developing the club.

I have always viewed it as a privilege to work with Hearts and I fully plan to continue to play my part in strengthening our off-field position David Southern

"I moved into this new role in recent months and, given my experience at Hearts and indeed my previous experience as an owner and director of a successful business, I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"I have always viewed it as a privilege to work with Hearts and I fully plan to continue to play my part in strengthening our off-field position.

"It is well documented that football is a challenging business environment both domestically and globally.

"However I am confident that Hearts is well placed to benefit from some of the predicted future changes in Scottish and European football."