Ian Watmore, a 50-year-old civil servant and secretary at the UK government’s Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, was appointed chief executive of the English FA yesterday.
Watmore joined the civil service in 2004 having worked for 24 years in the IT industry, most prominently as UK managing director of consultancy, services and outsourcing company Accenture. He will start work in the position in June.
“I am delighted to be joining The Football Association as chief executive,” Watmore said. “It is a great challenge and one I am really looking forward to. With [chairman] Lord Triesman and the [FA] Board, Fabio Capello and the FA's staff, I want to ensure we are achieving success on and off the pitch across all levels of the game.”
The FA’s independent chairman Lord Triesman, who worked over Watmore at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), described Watmore as “outstanding” and “the right person to lead the organisation.”
Watmore saw off challenges from former Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman and the FA’s chief operating officer Alex Horne. He follows Saatchi and Saatchi’s Adam Crozier, insolvency practitioner Mark Palios and television executive Brian Barwick in the position.
