FAI appoint Gary Owens as interim CEO

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have confirmed the appointment of Gary Owens as their new interim CEO.

The crisis-ridden organisation have also confirmed that the process to commence a recruitment process to appoint a new CEO has begun.

A statement from the FAI reads; “The FAI can confirm that it intends to commence a recruitment and selection process to appoint a CEO in the coming weeks.

“In the meantime, the FAI board tonight approved the appointment of Gary Owens as Interim Chief Executive with immediate effect.

“Gary Owens is a highly experienced leader and non-executive director with specialist expertise in business re-structuring, turnaround strategies and governance structures.

“Gary has a distinguished career in senior management roles in the financial services and technology sectors, including IFG Group, Rainmaker Technologies and Hibernian Group.

“He has previously undertaken interim CEO roles with Down Syndrome Ireland and Athletics Ireland.”

FAI Independent Chairperson Roy Barrett added; “Gary brings a wealth of experience to this interim role and the Board and I look forward to working with him.

“The Board would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr. Paul Cooke, FAI Board Member, who at very short notice held the position of Executive Lead on a pro bono basis for the past few weeks, whilst a process to identify and select an interim CEO was underway.”