The South African, who confirmed he would leave the International Hockey Federation (FIH) earlier this year having spent six years with the organisation, will officially begin his new role on January 1.

The 55-year-old replaces Spaniard Juan Margets, who served as the ITF’s chief operating officer after 18 years in the position.

Margets, who served on the ITF Board of Directors from 1991 until 2015 and was ITF executive vice-president for 17 years from 1998 to 2015, revealed he would leave at the end of 2016 back in March and will officially stand down on September 30.

He will then work in a consultancy role with the governing body to oversee a smooth handover to Fairweather.

Fairweather, a former director of sport at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), decided he wanted to pursue "new professional challenges2 and says he is relishing working with the ITF under President David Haggerty.

"I look forward to joining the ITF as chief operating officer in January,” said Fairweather.

"It is a Federation that I know well having worked with them during my time as IOC Director of Sport and I have admired how they have grown in stature in the Olympic Movement.

"The ambitious agenda of David Haggerty for the future of the ITF and its flagship competitions, Davis Cup by BNP Paribas and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, has great appeal to me and I look forward to working with him to make ITF 2024 a reality."

Haggerty, elected as ITF President in September 2015, described Fairweather as the "ideal candidate" for the role.

"The ITF is excited to have Kelly join us in the role of chief operating officer," said Haggerty.

"Kelly’s extensive experience in the Olympic Movement as well as his in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by International Federations made him the perfect candidate to help the ITF fulfil its mission to develop, grow and promote tennis around the world.

"We have an ambitious agenda as part of ITF 2024 and we know that Kelly’s experience will help us to achieve our goals."

Fairweather will be expected to play a key role in the implementation of ITF 2024, a new strategic plan for the world governing body creating a long-term plan for sustainable growth, which was launched at its Conference and Annual General Meeting in Zagreb in June.

It outlines the ITF’s mission to develop, grow and promote tennis around the world through good governance, integrity and trust, inclusiveness, innovation, ambition and collaboration.