Regan joins the SFA after four years as chief executive of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

The 46-year-old replaces Gordon Smith, who stepped down in April after almost three years in the post.

Regan, who led the re-branding of the second tier of English football, spent 16 years in the brewing industry, including a spell as strategic planning director for Bass.

A "delighted" Regan said in a statement ahead of a media conference: "From my recent posts with the Football League and Coors Brewers, I have experience of working with a number of key stakeholders in Scottish football.

"Scottish football has not been immune to the difficulties of the current financial climate but the passion and commitment to the national game in this country remains unrivalled.

"It is this loyalty and dedication that will be essential to re-establishing the game.

"I am aware there is a great debate on the way forward for Scottish football and it is my intention to bring all the relevant parties closer together to achieve the obvious common goal of improving the overall standard of the number one sport in this country."

SFA president George Peat added: "Of all the applicants, Stewart stood out for the level of his success in business and sport but also for his diversity of experience."