MK Dons have confirmed Neil Hart as the club’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Hart joins MK Dons after leaving his role with League One side Bolton Wanderers, having spent three years with the Lancashire-based club.

Before Bolton, Hart had enjoyed a nine year stint as CEO of Burnley, including during spells where the Clarets competed in the Premier League, and had spells in the boardroom at Watford and Luton Town.

Hart’s appointment is part of the changes at MK Dons following the club’s recent takeover, with a Kuwaiti consortium lead by Fahad Al Ghanim taking over the club in a deal announced in the week before the first game of the new season last month.

In a statement to the official MK Dons website, Hart said he was very delighted to make the move to Milton Keynes and would be looking to work boost the club’s off-field potential.

He said, “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking on this role at such an exciting time for the football club. Having spoken at length with Fahad, the vision he has, not just for MK Dons, but for Milton Keynes as a whole, really excited me. The potential for the football club, with its phenomenal infrastructure, is there for all to see. Now, it’s for us to go and realise it.

“While we all want to see MK Dons rising up the league tables, there is also scope to add to the matchday experience, amplify the club’s commercial opportunities and of course build on the fantastic community work of the MK Dons Sports and Education Trust. I can’t wait to get started and am sincerely looking forward to meeting staff and supporters over the coming weeks.”

MK Dons’ Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim added, “Neil’s record in football speaks for itself. He is undoubtedly a top-level CEO with a wealth of fantastic experience across both the EFL and the Premier League. His community work in particular is second to none, and I know he’ll bring that same tenacity to deliver meaningful opportunities in the community to Milton Keynes.

“My experience in business and sport have taught me that a unified approach is crucial to success, and I’m confident Neil is the person we need to bring everyone at the club together as we enter this new era. I thought long and hard about this appointment, and am absolutely thrilled Neil has chosen to join MK Dons.