NEWPORT County AFC director Kevin Ward has stepped down from the board to avoid a conflict of interest after earning a new role.

Ward, a former editor of the Argus, was elected to the Exiles' board in 2018 but this week has been appointed chairman of Newport Live.

His commitments with the leisure trust in the city means that he has stepped down from the board of County and the Supporters’ Trust with immediate effect.

It is the latest change at the top after the appointment of Miami-based businessman Jon Pratt to the board as a co-opted director, while chairman Gavin Foxall has been absent since January.

Sporting director Darren Kelly left for Hartlepool in February while Gareth Evans has been promoted to club secretary and Kelly Anderson is interim general manager.

With County training at a Newport Live owned facility at Spytty Park and having other links with the council, Ward has stepped down from the club role.

“This appointment not only creates a significantly greater voluntary workload for me, but also an increased conflict of interest that has the potential to compromise myself, Newport County AFC and Newport Live," he said.

“While I have been merely a board member of both organisations, any conflict has been manageable. As chairman of Newport Live, doing so becomes extremely difficult bordering on impossible.

“I have no wish to put either organisation in an awkward position, hence my decision to stand down as a club and trust director.

“For clarity, this is the sole reason for my resignation. There is no boardroom split, there has been no behind-the-scenes bust-up, there has been no disagreement with my fellow County directors.”

The board now feartures chairman Foxall and directors Pratt, Shaun Johnson, Mike Everett, Bob Herrin, Mark Crook, Peter Madigan, Paul Marks and Joe Crocker.

“Kevin’s decision is due to an increased conflict of interest and workload following his appointment as chair of Newport Live, the city’s leisure trust, this week,” said a club statement.

“The trust and club wishes to place on record its sincere thanks to Kevin for his hard work and support during his time on the board.

“We wish Kevin all the best for the future and are pleased that he will be continuing to help and support both the club and trust as a volunteer.”