We quiz the Blackburn Rovers' newly-appointed deputy chief executive Paul Hunt about his career to date and his ambitions for the Ewood Park club under the direction of new owners the Venky’s.

Paul, can you give us a detailed account of your professional background. Where you have worked and how you got into the football business?

I have spent 15 years in the football industry.

Following a couple of years working with a subsidiary company of Manchester United – including a spell with the Bobby Charlton Soccer School – I spent eight years with Bolton Wanderers where the club enjoyed consecutive top eight finishes and qualification for the UEFA Cup for the first time.

Subsequently, I spent four years at Wigan Athletic, being a part of the most successful spell in its history.

I later moved onto Leicester City, a position I held for twelve months before being offered this opportunity at Blackburn Rovers.

And something about you on a personal level?

I hail from Bury, where I still live with my wife, Sarah, and two children, Layla (nine) and Sonny (six).

I know these parts (East Lancashire) quite well having attended Haslingden High School.

After sixth form, I studied at the University of Teeside and gained a degree in Humanities.

Whilst at university I took up the role of entertainments officer for the student union.

I also have an MBA from the University of Leicester, which I studied for while at Bolton.

How exciting an opportunity is this for you? How big a challenge is it and how confident are you in your abilities to be a success?

A very exciting opportunity indeed.

I fully appreciate the standing and stature of Blackburn Rovers, as a founder member of the Football League and still one of only four clubs to win the Premier League.

While we must always respect the past, our priority and focus is all about what lies ahead.

I am confident in my own ability and believe I have the experience, enthusiasm and skills to make an impact and help to push things further forward.

I feel privileged to be invited to play a part in the next chapter of the story and will vow to do my very best, every single day.

What is your role and how involved will you be on the football side of things?

My brief is to run and develop the day-to-day business of the club, particularly on the commercial front.

Since the arrival of the new owners, we clearly have many new opportunities to explore and, given my background, I intend to be closely involved in driving revenue and value.

As far as the football side of things, I am here to assist and support the football management to create success where it matters the most – on the pitch.

What do you consider to be your stand-out commercial achievements during your time in football?

I like to think I have played a part in the development of all the clubs I have served.

I headed up a complete brand change at Wigan, which proved very successful and involved a major shirt sponsorship deal and I was also the driving force behind a series of non-football events during my time at Bolton.

That involved a number of stadium events with concerts from the likes of Elton John and Coldplay which really put the Reebok Stadium on the map to produce a new and lucrative income stream.

Have you met the owners and if so what can you share with us about their visions for the future?

I met the owners prior to being offered the role and I was immediately taken by their desire to take Blackburn Rovers onwards and upwards.

They see the potential, are clear in their intentions and really want was is best for the club across all aspects.

I have good contact links with them on a daily basis and will be meeting up with them again next month when we embark on a club visit to India.

How involved are you going to be in transfer activity?

Our manager, Steve Kean, will continue to work with the owners in transfer issues.

He is the man in overall charge of all playing matters, which obviously includes the recruitment of players etc.

As in all other areas of the club I will be here to assist in any way I can.

What do you think the future holds for Blackburn Rovers?

I firmly believe that we can approach the future - short, medium and long - with real confidence.

There is a refreshing feel about the place.

We have owners who are determined to propel the club forward with plans both locally and globally.

We have a playing staff that has been carefully crafted with quality incoming players and youngsters developed through the Academy.

We have a totally committed manager who has the full support of both the senior management team and the owners, a loyal fan base craving success and a dedicated team of staff.

In essence, we have a strong ‘family’ unit and I make no apology for using a word that can sometimes be considered as a little twee.

We want to improve the team, grow the club to develop a blueprint for modern football clubs to follow and deliver success to Blackburn Rovers.

By sticking together and looking out for one another, I believe all of that is both realistic and achievable.