Ian Mather appointed new chief executive officer at Cambridge United

Ian Mather has been appointed interim chief executive officer at Cambridge United.

Mather joined the club’s board last season, having been a trustee of the Cambridge United Community Trust since 2016.

Current chief operating officer Henry Comfort will be leaving the U’s in September for a new job outside football.

"We all recognise that this is an important season for the club - both on and off the pitch,” said Mather, who will be stepping down from the board but will remain a trustee of the Trust.

“I believe I can make a positive contribution as interim CEO and do so at a point when it will allow the club to consider its longer term options for the role.

“The club has many talented, knowledgeable and committed people, both staff and volunteers, and a passionate supporter base. I welcome the opportunity to work closely with all of them."

Mather worked as a solicitor in the city until his retirement from Mills & Reeve in 2018, and has held a number of senior management posts both within law firms and externally.

He has also been president of the Chambers of Commerce, chairman of Cambridge Ahead and remains chairman of Cambridge Arts Theatre.

Mather will be remunerated for four days as the U’s interim CEO.

"The board believe this is the right time for the club to have a CEO again,” said Shaun Grady, chairman of the U’s board.

“Ian has agreed to take on the role for the coming season whilst we consider longer term options.

“Ian brings a wealth of business and management experience and is a very well respected and active figure in the city and community.

“Ian has already made a big difference at the club in a relatively short period of time since joining the board a year ago, leading on discussions with Marshall on both the new training ground and a potential new stadium site, for example.

"We are pleased that Ian has agreed to take on the role and believe it represents another important step forward for the internal management of the club alongside the recruitment of Duncan Foyle as finance director.

“The appointment has the unanimous support of the board as well as majority shareholder Paul Barry.

"We are very grateful to Henry Comfort for all his excellent work over recent years as chief operating officer at the club, developing the commercial side of the business in particular.

“We wish Henry well for the future in his new role."