The Independent Football Regulator has appointed former EY partner Richard Monks as its first chief executive.
It comes after the Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirmed David Kogan had become the regulator’s chair earlier this week amid an ongoing inquiry into his hire.
Monks brings nearly 20 years of financial and regulatory experience to the role. Most recently he was a partner at EY, one of the ‘Big Four’ professional services and accounting firms. While at EY, Monks was responsible for advising regulators on government’s growth objective and financial services clients on regulatory implementation.
Kogan, who appointed Monks to the role of chief exec, said: “Richard brings extensive financial and regulatory clout to the IFR, providing balance and insight to our senior leadership team. We are drawing on a wide range of knowledge from the worlds of regulation and football and Richard will build on this as he develops our executive and regulatory skills.
“This appointment demonstrates the IFR is hitting the ground running.”
Before joining EY, Monks worked at the Financial Conduct Authority and its predecessor, the Financial Services Authority, holding several senior positions in strategy, policy and supervisory roles. He also created the FCA’s Senior Managers and Certification Regime.
Monks has also provided advice to DCMS for its work in response to the Fan Led Review of Football Governance, including design of the financial regime which underpins the Football Governance Act.
Monks said he was “delighted” to be appointed to the role, adding that his “full focus will be on building the organisation and regulatory regime that delivers the right result for the football pyramid and its millions of fans, and supporting clubs throughout the process”.
DCMS said the appointment would “complement the extensive football industry and broadcast media experience” brought to the organisation by Kogan, and “accelerate key organisational and operational decision-making as the body prepares to regulate the football industry”.