IFR completes Board lineup with wealth of experience from worlds of football, business, finance and media
Date Published
- Board selected from more than 250 candidates to lead the IFR
- Kevin Miles, Tara Warren, Mark McCafferty, Justine Roberts and Dr Linda Yueh bring diverse and potent skillset to help the IFR change football for the better
- The IFR Board will now seize the opportunity to build a stronger football industry, for the benefit of clubs, fans and their communities
The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has today finalised its full Board, strengthening the organisation’s leadership credentials as it begins driving football in a bold new direction.
Dr Linda Yueh CBE, Tara Warren, Justine Roberts CBE, Mark McCafferty and Kevin Miles OBE, join Dame Helen Stephenson and Simon Levine to complete the IFR Board, after being appointed by the DCMS Secretary of State Lisa Nandy.
IFR Chair David Kogan said:
“2026 is going to be a big year for the regulator as more of our powers come online and we get ready to launch the licensing system designed to make clubs and the English football pyramid more sustainable.
“Having received more than 250 applications, I am confident that these exciting additions to our Board, with their broad mix of experience, will contribute an enormous amount to the work of the regulator.
“With our full leadership team now in place, we can focus on implementing our powers, tackling industry challenges and driving best practice in governance across the whole of the game.”
Dr Linda Yueh CBE is an economist and lawyer with extensive history of working in senior leadership positions, including board positions with Standard Chartered, Greene King and the Chair of The Schiehallion Fund, a London Stock Exchange-listed investment company.
Tara Warren has held several senior positions at West Ham United Football Club over 17 years and is a Non-Executive Director for the British Horseracing Authority. Tara has also served on numerous Premier League and Women’s Super League Board subcommittees.
Justine Roberts CBE is another experienced addition to the IFR Board. Her vast experience spans being founder and Executive Chair of one of the UK’s leading online communities, Mumsnet, as well as recently being a Non-Executive Director of the EFL.
Mark McCafferty brings his sporting experience for the IFR Board, holding the positions of Chair of Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Chair of England and Wales Cricket Boards. Mark was also the Chief Executive of Premiership Rugby for 14 years, bringing transformation and investment to competition.
Completing the Board is Kevin Miles OBE. Kevin is Chief Executive of the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) and has worked with its predecessor organisation since 1998. Bringing his experience of working within football and fan engagement will be of vital importance to the IFR and its strategic direction.
Since becoming fully independent last year, the IFR has been moving quickly to build its regulatory regime to drive change in the national game and tackle the challenges facing the top five divisions of English men’s football.
By the end of this season, most of the IFR’s powers will be switched on, including tests for new and existing owners, and the ability to stop unwanted changes to kits, badges and home grounds. It will also publish a draft version of the State of the Game Report, an unprecedented analysis of English football’s financial landscape.
The new completed Board brings knowledge and expertise from across football, business and finance, and will provide a balanced leadership team and help accelerate the work of the IFR.
NOTES TO EDITORS
- For more information on each Board member, visit our website here.
- The IFR NEDs have been appointed by the DCMS Secretary of State following a fair and open recruitment process.
- All new NEDs have declared that they have not undertaken any significant political activity.