Carter-Kelly was the deputy Chef de Mission for sport and athletes at her country's home Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022, and is now set to succeed Mark England in the main role.

She is also due to be the Chef de Mission at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, with the appointment being made last month.

"I am honoured to have been appointed as Chef de Mission for the Victoria 2026 Games cycle having held the role of deputy at Birmingham 2022, our most successful Games ever," said Carter-Kelly.

"The future is incredibly bright for Team England and I'm excited to be part of it as Chef de Mission and seeing the athletes in action; firstly at the 2023 Youth Games and then for Victoria 2026."

Carter-Kelly has also been a Chef de Mission for Britain at the 2019 Winter World University Games in Krasnoyarskand oversaw the development and delivery of England's preparation camp for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast. 

"We are thrilled to have Francesca as Chef De Mission for Victoria 2026," said chair of Commonwealth Games England John Steele.

"Her experience and knowledge are second-to-none, and I'm looking forward to watching her lead Team England into what will unquestionably be a very challenging environment in Victoria, Australia."

Sydney 2000 Olympic champion and double Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning heptathlete Denise Lewis is due to remain as President of Commonwealth Games England up to and including Victoria 2026.