Town's
Board of Director's has seen many changes in the last
few years following the buyout by the Marcus Evans Group
in December 2007
Who exactly are the men that
run the club these days? Below we give a quick rundown
of both the current board members, and their
backgrounds.
Marcus Evans - Chairman & Owner
In December 2007 Marcus Evans
a succesful businessman who made his fortune in the
global summits, strategic conferences, and professional
training industries bought a 87.5% share in Ipswich Town
Football Club, purchasing the club's £32M debts and
making around £12M avaliable for strenghtening the
club's squad both via transfer fees and player wages.
Evans appointed himself chairman in July 2008 after
former Chair David Sheepshanks stepped down.
Evans is a highly secretive figure, and does not give
interviews and there are no public photos featuring the
Blues chairman, leaving him somewhat as an unknown to
Town's fanbase and the local media. Evans issues much of
his communication through Chief executive Simon Clegg,
who he appointed to the role on 21st April 2009,
replacing previous Chief Executive Derek Bowden.
The move to replace Bowden with Clegg was quickly
followed up by the decision to dismiss Town boss Jim
Magilton just 24 hours later and the day after the
sacking for the former Northern Ireland international,
former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane was appointed
as Town's new boss.
Simon Clegg - Chief Executive
Middlesex
born Clegg was appointed onto the Town board by owner
Marcus Evans in April 2009, replacing former Chief
Executive Derek Bowden who left Portman Road following
many years service under former Chair David Sheepshanks.
Clegg's first 48 hours at the club saw Town boss Jim
Magilton being dismissed and Roy Keane being hired.
Clegg has a
successful background in support, having been involved
with both the British Olympic Association, the
International Olympic Comittee and was one of the main
forces behind the London bid to host the 2012 Olympic
games which was rubber stamped in July 2005.
Clegg was awarded an OBE for his
management of the British athletics team at the 2000
Olympic Games and later also a CBE in 2006 for the part
he played in bringing the 2012 Olympics to London.
Martin Pitcher - Director
A qualified chartered accountant, Martin Pitcher joined
the club's board in December 2007 following the takeover
by the Marcus Evans Group.
Pitcher holds the role
of director of Corporate development within the group
and is responsible for new business and aquisitions.
including ITFC.
Ian Milne - Director
A qualified solictor
with international commercial legal experience, Ian
Milne joined the club's board in December 2007 following
the takeover by the Marcus Evans Group.
Milne has
held the role of Group General Counsel since 2000
Jonathan Symonds - Director
A graduate in business
information systems, Jonathan Symonds was appointed ot
hte club's board in December 2007 following the takeover
by the Marcus Evans Gorup.
Symonds is responsible
for the delivery of global IT Solutions for the group
and has held the role of Chief Information
Officer since 1996.
