John Bennett has been appointed as the new Rangers chairman after Douglas Park decided to step down from his role.

Park, 72, led the club as chairman from 2020 having served on the board since 2015.

The news of his standing down from the Ibrox boardroom was announced alongside the appointment of Bennett as chairman.

A club statement confirmed Bennett had been installed as chairman after a unanimous vote by the Rangers International Football Club PLC.

But who is he and how is he linked to the Ibrox club?

Here we explain Bennett's path to becoming Rangers chairman...

Who is John Bennett? 

Bennett, 59, is an "industry leader in equity management". 

The new chairman boasts more than 34 years of financial industry experience and has managed portfolios on behalf of retail and institutional investors from around the globe.

The Ibrox chairman currently works for Janus Henderson Investors as director of European equities - a role he has held since 2011.

Bennett - who has won a number of industry awards - previously worked as an investment director at Global Asset Management for 17 years.

He first worked in equity management at Edinburgh's Ivory & Sime having moved there from a position at Clydesdale Bank.

READ MORE: John Bennett new Rangers chairman as Douglas Park steps down

What is Bennett's connection with Rangers? 

Born in Glasgow, Bennett was raised as a Rangers supporter.

The lifelong fan invested in the club and was first appointed to the Ibrox board in 2015 - he was then made deputy chairman in 2020 serving under Park.

Bennett holds a 5.1 percent equity stake in the club and previously stated he has a £23million commitment to the club after offering a £13m loan and £10m overdraft facility.

The £13m loan has been reduced to £8m with six years left to pay the debt at an interest rate of six percent - Bennett had said last year.

Previously, Bennett was also part of the Blue Knights group which had expressed an interest in taking over the club following entering administration in 2012.

What has Bennett said about becoming Rangers chairman? 

On his appointment and Park's decision to stand down, Bennett said: "On behalf of all my colleagues, and indeed the entire Rangers family, I want sincerely to thank Douglas for his eight years of service.

"Over the last three years, he led the club during exceptionally challenging times. It’s a source of great comfort that Douglas, although no longer a board member, will be by our side to support us in our relentless pursuit of success."

What have Rangers said? 

A Rangers club statement read: "Douglas Park, who has been chairman of Rangers International Football Club PLC (RIFC) for three years, has decided to step down from his role. The RIFC Board unanimously agreed to instal the current vice-chairman, John Bennett, as the club’s new chairman.

"Douglas became chairman of Rangers at the end of March 2020, assuming the role in the most challenging of circumstances. He became chairman at the onset of the Covid pandemic and went on to oversee Rangers winning its fifty-fifth Scottish League title; reach a major European final for only the fifth time in the club’s 150-year history; and lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in over a decade. Douglas also led significant investments in the infrastructure at both Ibrox and Auchenhowie."

What has Douglas Park said about leaving his role? 

Motor and bus magnate Park said: "It’s been a great honour to serve the club as a director and chairman. During my eight years in office, we endured extraordinary pressures.

"I am glad we have stabilised and strengthened the club and it is now time for me to hand over the baton to a new chairman for the next stage in the club’s development.

"I look forward to continuing to attend matches supporting the team, and I wish John and all at Rangers Football Club the very best."