Mark Ashton’s appointment as the new chief executive at Wycombe Wanderers has been confirmed this morning.

The Watford Observer revealed at the end of last month that the former Hornets chief executive was set to take up the same role at the League Two club, but in a more surprising move he will also become a non-executive director of Wycombe’s tenants, London Wasps.

A statement on Wycombe’s website says the 37-year-old “was the driving force behind a host of ambitious schemes at the club [Watford], which helped to propel them into the Premier League”.

It was understood Ashton’s new role has come as a result of his past dealings with Steve Hayes, Wycombe’s managing director and co-founder of the Hornets’ former shirt sponsors Loans.co.uk.

Hayes said: “Mark will be a huge asset. We’ve got a great manager in Peter Taylor, an excellent playing squad and a dedicated team behind-the-scenes. Now we have the right man to lead the club forward off-the-field.”

Ashton resigned his post at Vicarage Road in the wake of Graham Simpson’s departure as chairman, and it led to widespread criticism of his time at the club by fans.

Even the moderate Watford Supporters Trust expressed their disappointment at Ashton’s tenure. In a statement issued at the time it highlighted the failure to develop the East Stand as their greatest concern during Ashton's reign at Watford.

It added: “In addition his reign has been littered with relationship breakdowns, repeatedly with the Watford Observer and frequently with former employees.

“The turnover of staff in senior positions was not indicative of a well-run organisation. There was also a lack of transparency in communication with the fans that has led to an atmosphere of mistrust.”

However, the Trust praised Ashton for introducing Aidy Boothroyd to the club and for a number of commercial and player deals.