1 July 2010 | Paul Snell
Ian Watmore, the former chief executive of the Football Association, has been appointed to lead the government’s Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG).
Watmore, who left the FA in March after just over a year in charge, will take up the role of chief operating officer of the ERG, the new government body charged with pushing through the planned £6.2 billion of spending cuts. This will include tackling waste, improving economies of scale and hunting for efficiencies in procurement, property, HR and IT.
“I believe that the ERG has a key role to play in securing value for money. By looking at innovative ways of working we can make government more efficient and effective, as well as improving the delivery of public services,” he said in a statement.
Before joining the FA, Watmore was permanent secretary at the now-defunct Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills. His new salary is £142,500 and will formally take up the role at the beginning of September.
The appointment comes shortly after the announcement OGC chief executive Nigel Smith will leave his post after three years in charge.
The government also announced yesterday that former BP boss Lord Browne would become a non-executive director of the Cabinet Office, and would work to appoint other non-execs to the boards of government departments.
