Nine-time Paralympic champion Lord Chris Holmes has replaced MT Rainey as deputy chairman of Channel 4 ©Channel 4

A highly-decorated British Paralympic swimmer has been named deputy chairman of Channel 4.

Lord Chris Holmes, a 15-time Paralympic medallist, was already a non-executive director at the broadcaster, having joined the board in December 2016.

He now replaces MT Rainey, whose term ended in December 2017, in his new position as deputy chairman.

Holmes won nine golds during his Paralympic career, appearing at four Games between Seoul in 1988 and Sydney in 2000.

Since then he has held a number of high profile positions in the world of sport. 

Channel 4 received widespread praise for their coverage of the 2012 Paralympic Games ©Channel 4
Channel 4 received widespread praise for their coverage of the 2012 Paralympic Games ©Channel 4

As well as his role at Channel 4, Holmes was previously a non-executive director at UK Sport where he helped develop their strategy for Britain's Olympic and Paralympic successes at London 2012 and Rio 2016. 

On top of that, he was director of Paralympic integration for the London Olympic Games Organising Committee and has been a member of the House of Lords since 2013.

He chairs a London 2012 Legacy Committee, is chancellor of BPP University and is a former lawyer specialising in mergers and acquisitions.

Lord Holmes has more than 25 years' broadcast experience.

Since securing the Paralympic broadcasting rights for London 2012, Channel 4 has since screened the Sochi 2014, Rio 2016 and Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Games.