Stevenage have got one up on Leyton Orient after naming Mike Pink as the club's new chief executive.

The two League Two clubs are battling it out for promotion from the division, with the O's currently top and Boro in second.

But the CEO position at the Lamex became available when Chris Ross announced he would be moving back to Scotland for family reasons and Boro chairman Phil Wallace moved quickly to secure Pink from his position as Orient's chief commercial officer.

Wallace said: "Mike impressed us from the beginning. His extensive background in the commercial environment stands him in good stead and we believe he is ready to step up to the next level.

"He joins us at an exciting time as we fight to achieve promotion.

"He will get support from Chris and myself in the early days but we believe Mike can take us to new levels of income as well as oversee the management of the club."

Pink, 46, lists Bolton Wanderers, where he was also chief commercial officer, and Crystal Palace as former clubs, spending seven years at the latter.

Before that he held various positions at Wembley Stadium, QPR and Fulham.

He said: "I am delighted and very grateful to be given this opportunity at Stevenage.

"It's an exciting time to be joining the club and I am really looking forward to working with the chairman, the board, the staff and getting to know our supporters and partners."

Orient's chief executive said: "While I'm obviously disappointed to be losing Mike so soon after he joined us, I fully understand why he has decided to take the opportunity which has come his way.

"I thank Mike for his work during his time at Orient, building a more solid commercial platform on which the new chief commercial officer can build."

Pink takes up his new position officially on February 1.