The Glasgow-born 48-year-old has a formidable business record in the engineering industry and will now look to use his experience in sport.

McKie said: As a keen rugby spectator I know there has been much change in the sport over the last 10 years and I look forward to the challenge of leading a very professional and dedicated team of people so that Scottish rugby can become a much more structured business and face the future with increased confidence.

He will start his job next Monday and SRU board chairman Allan Munro insists the right man has been appointed.

Gordon is very well known in the financial sector as a chief executive with an outstanding reputation for helping transform businesses and in change management, said Munro.

I am confident that Gordon will bring exceptional hands-on leadership to Scottish Rugby and will be instrumental in securing a much better future for the business and, in turn, our game.

SRU president Andy Irvine added: I said on my election to the post of president that the most important role at Murrayfield was the chief executive who would be responsible for running the business on a day-to-day basis.

I think that we are extremely fortunate to have secured someone of Gordons tremendous talent and I am certain that he will deliver Scottish Rugby from the position it is now in to a business in more robust health in the period ahead.