Former Saatchi and Saatchi man Derek Bowden has been confirmed as Town's new chief executive. Chairman David Sheepshanks says that despite relegation the club still needs some to fulfil the role.

The Town chairman told the club site: "I am delighted to welcome Derek Bowden to Ipswich Town. His appointment has been the result of nearly a 12-month search in our effort to find the right man for the job.

"Derek Bowden joins Ipswich Town after a highly successful career in media and advertising in which he rose to play a leading business management role at Saatchi and Saatchi, where amongst others he worked closely with such leading companies as Visa, Hewlett Packard, Sony, Toyota and Procter and Gamble.

"His advertising background gives him a strong understanding of brands and the consumer and he has a track record of hands on management and excellent communication skills."

Sheepshanks announced at last autumn's AGM that a new appointment would be made in the summer and relgation hasn't changed that situation.

The chairman says that these days the club has extensive operations aside from match days: "We have developed a very substantial seven day a week business at Portman Road which is incredibly diverse with some 18 different 'off-field' departments all geared to generating income or providing service to support George Burley's team.

"I will be remaining as executive chairman and both Derek Bowden as CEO and George Burley as team manager will each report to me, as will Bryan Klug for the Academy. Our new roles are clear and distinct and we will work together as a team."

Bowden's will look after the business and administrative area of the club and will look to maximise revenue generation for investment into the team.

Sheepshanks feels that this will allow him to look after the business side of football, and the club's relationship with the community, along with the rest of the board members.

Bowden lives in Cambridgeshire and is a life-long Spurs supporter. He told the club site he is very pleased to be taking a change in career direction: "I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to take on the role of CEO at Ipswich Town Football Club.

"After 29 years in the advertising and media business I decided it was time for a new direction and challenge.

"I have always been a football fan and since the age of six can remember standing on the terraces, so a move into football for me is a very exciting personal challenge.

"It also happens to coincide with the very clear one that the club faces. Ipswich Town is a Premiership Club in every other respect and deserves its place back in the Premiership.

"I am sure that I am going to enjoy working with David Sheepshanks, the board and the fantastic team here at the club to help achieve that ambition."

Bowden, 45, worked with current FA chief executive Adam Crozier at Saatchi and Saatchi where he ran operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He resigned his position with the advertising agency last September. He will take up his post at Town on July 1st and will also have a seat on the Town board.

Photo: Action Images

BlueBadger added 13:45 - Feb 4 Boooooooooooo we should get a football man in booooooooooooo
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