Harper Macleod will provide a full range of legal services to the national governing body including corporate advice, commercial contracts, intellectual property, employment law, governance and regulatory matters.

The firm already has strong links with sport and was previously appointed as legal advisers to both the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Nigel Holl, interim CEO of UK Athletics, said: “We are delighted to announce this partnership going forward with Harper Macleod who have a proven track record of expertise and delivery in this area. We are also delighted that they join the British Athletics sponsor family.

“Legal services can be a costly outlay for sporting organisations who want to channel as much finance into the sport as possible, so we are delighted to partner with a firm that not only offers great quality of service for the sport but is also choosing to invest in our brand going forward.”

Martin Darroch, chief executive of Harper Macleod, said: “We were delighted to come out on top after a competitive process to gain this appointment and look forward to helping British Athletics achieve all of its ambitions, on and off the track and field, over the coming years.

“Being selected for this role is testament to the reputation we have earned in more than two decades since we established Scotland’s first sports law practice and the wealth of knowledge and experience we have built up in the UK and beyond.

“Sport has always been at the heart of Harper Macleod’s identity and we can’t wait to get started on what will be an exciting partnership.”