Fairweather, a former director of sport at the International Olympic Committee, joined hockey’s worldwide governing body in 2010.

The South African has opted to not extend his contract beyond its expiry date, which comes at the end of this year, in order to pursue “new professional challenges”.

Following Fairweather’s surprise decision to step down, the FIH launched an extensive recruitment process, led by Sports Recruitment International (SRI) chairman Michael Squires, who has volunteered his time to help with the search.

Squires was co-opted by the FIH selection panel to find the replacement for Fairweather, who became chief executive of the organisation following two years working with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“As a former hockey player and passionate about the future of the sport, I am delighted to be involved in this important process,” Squires said.

The new chief executive will be responsible for overseeing the 10-year "Hockey Revolution" development process, which had been the brainchild of Fairweather.

It aims to ensure hockey becomes a “global game which inspires the next generation” and was initiated in 2014 amid an attempt from the sport’s worldwide governing body to revamp the sport after it almost lost its Olympic place back in 2013, eventually surviving, despite being in the bottom three along with wrestling and modern pentathlon.

The ideal candidate will be “energetic, dedicated and able to lead the FIH team of 35 staff in the task of implementing the strategy and engaging and empowering the hockey community”, according to the world governing body.

The FIH hope to have a new chief executive in place prior to their Congress in Dubai from November 10 to 12.