The FA have confirmed chief financial officer Martin Stewart is to leave the organisation to take up a full-time position as chief executive of OSN, the Dubai-based satellite TV provider.

Stewart joined The FA in January this year, having previously held a non-executive role on the OSN board which he retained among various directorships. He will officially leave his position at Wembley at the FA Board meeting in July after overseeing the transition with The FA’s in-house financial team. 

In particular, his work at The FA in recent months has been supported by Mark Burrows, previously group CFO at Virgin Active and a former executive at BSkyB.

Burrows, who also worked alongside FA CEO Martin Glenn for seven years at Iglo, the owner of leading brands including Birds Eye, is to step up to become interim CFO for the remainder of the year.

Martin Stewart said: “I have hugely enjoyed my short time at the FA. It is a superb organisation and I have great respect for the leadership provided by Martin Glenn. I fully expected to spend longer at the FA, but the opportunity to take on a chief executive role at a major pay TV platform is simply too good to turn down at this stage in my career.”

Glenn said: “This has been a very difficult decision for Martin but ultimately this is a big opportunity for him and one he feels would be impossible to refuse. 

“Martin has made significant progress in a short space of time helping us to maintain our strong financial footing and I am confident that Mark will be able to continue the good work being done.

“Mark stepping up will allow us to take the time to carefully consider the ongoing requirements of a permanent CFO whilst at the same time support a smooth transition and handover, particularly around matters such as next year’s budget. 

“Martin will officially finish at the board meeting in July and Mark will take over full responsibility from this point onwards.”