HENRY Staelens has been named Forest Green's new chief executive.

Just 30 years old, Staelens becomes the youngest CEO in professional football.

A well-known entrepreneur in Gloucestershire, he was previously a founding partner of PinPointMedia – a digital media company based in Gloucestershire, that grew rapidly to create more than 4,000 films a year for businesses and brands across Europe.

At FGR, Henry reports to the chairman, Dale Vince with a particular focus on matchday experience and commercial opportunities for the club.

Dale Vince, chairman of Forest Green Rovers said: “I’m really excited that Henry has joined us. I think he’s going to do a great job – he’s very commercially minded and we’re on the same page about future plans for the club.”

Henry Staelens, chief executive of Forest Green Rovers, added: “I am honoured to join Forest Green Rovers as the chief executive. There is so much opportunity here and we are such a unique club in a very exciting time of growth, and I will be working tirelessly to give the very best for our fans both on matchday and the longer term.

"I’ve been a fan of the club for as long as I can remember, and I am looking forward to carrying on the work that Helen (Taylor) and the team have been doing here.”

FGR’s former chief executive, Helen Taylor is now responsible for the club’s community charity – which has just been awarded EFL Community Trust Status for the first-time.