David Sheepshanks has welcomed Howard Wells to Ipswich Town and said of the appointment "Ipswich Town have made great strides over the last few years both on and off the pitch. Continuity is crucial but equally so is progress. If we are to achieve the greater success that we all want in future years then the challenges that come with the territory will require new and enhanced management skills.

I have been extremely happy and privileged to have effectively combined the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive over the last four and a half years, however the size of the task is such that it is now no longer really possible to do both jobs.

Responsible to the Board but reporting to me, Howard will be accountable for all the 'off-field' operational and business activities of the Club. There will be no change to the way in which the playing side is run with Manager, George Burley, and Academy Director, Bryan Klug continuing to report directly to me.

Howard and I will work closely together and I am confident that we can maintain our ongoing momentum while achieving a seamless transition. He will have the benefit of an extremely able management team reporting to him, notably led by Club Secretary David Rose and Commercial Director Paul Clouting."

The Town chairman added that he was "very pleased that we have been able to attract a man of Howard's calibre and stature: a degree graduate, he has a wealth of experience in the sports industry having been Chief Executive of both the Hong Kong Sports Council and then the UK Sports Council. Prior to his appointment in Hong Kong, he was Deputy Director of the renowned Bisham Abbey Sports Centre.

Football has been an integral part in his life: he played as a junior for Tottenham Hotspur, then for Oxford City and Aylesbury United before gaining a full F.A. Coaching Badge in 1973. We have not, however, enlisted Howard for his playing prowess but rather his general management expertise, where most recently, he has successfully served Watford Football Club as Chief Executive."

He certainly seems to have the qualifications for the job, time will tell what difference he can make to the fortunes of the club on the pitch.

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