The CSHR claims it has created a "unique" governance structure to ensure "full independence and robust oversight and controls".

Nine directors have now been appointed to oversee the organisation which aims to promote international human rights standards across the world of sport.

Former National Basketball League (NBA) player Walter Palmer has joined the Board along with two-time Olympian Nikki Dryden who represented Canada in swimming at Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

Germany’s Palmer, who played for Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks in the NBA during a 13-year career, now works as a director at Dartmouth for Life, while Dryden is a human rights and sport lawyer.

Phillip Jennings, former general secretary of the UNI Global Union and co-founder of the World Players Association (WPA), Vincent Gaillard, director general of European Professional Club Rugby, and Brent Wilton, former global director of workplace rights at Coca-Cola and ex-secretary general at the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), have also been appointed.

The other Board members include Dorcas Amakobe, executive director of Moving the Goalposts, Diana Chavez, executive director of the Private Sector Regional Centre for the Support of United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, athlete rights activist Payoshni Mitra and business and human rights lawyer Moira Thompson Oliver.

Ron Popper, Moya Dodd, Frances House and Tim Soutar have all departed as trustees.

The CSHR was launched in 2018 as a subsidiary of the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB).

Based in Geneva in Switzerland, the CSHR’s governing members include the Government of Switzerland, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the IOE, the International Trade Union Confederation, the WPA, Human Rights Watch, and the IHRB.

The International Labour Organization and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights both have permanent formal observer roles in the association.

"The centre is going from strength to strength with a new governance structure and diverse group of directors," said CSHR chair Mary Robinson.

"Great credit is due to IHRB for stewarding CSHR to this point.

"The new governance structure is an innovative approach to having an independent organisation emerge from a multi-stakeholder process, and with the participation of UN agencies.

"I see enormous potential for the centre to address complex challenges in sport.

"I have every confidence that the new Directors will bring their wealth of experience to help the world of sport fully respect human rights."

CGF President Dame Louise Martin insisted the work of the CSHR was "more important than ever" and "fully aligns" with its own vision and values.

"We are proud to be a founding institution of the CSHR, as we work collaboratively to promote international human rights standards throughout the world of sport," added Dame Louise.

"We are delighted to see CSHR continue to strengthen and grow with the appointment of an experienced and diverse Board of Directors."