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Ian Watmore Politician

Ian Watmore (born 5 July 1958) is an English accountant and former senior British civil servant, who from January 2012 until June 2012 was Permanent Secretary at the Cabinet Office in succession to Sir Gus O'Donnell, after the breaking apart of the tri-hatted role of Cabinet Secretary, Head of the Home Civil Service and Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary.Born in Croydon, Surrey, he was educated at Trinity School, Croydon and then graduated with a degree in mathematics and management studies from Trinity College, Cambridge. He trained as an accountant with Andersen Consulting, and ultimately became Accenture's UK managing director from 2000 to 2004.Watmore joined the UK civil service, initially as the first central UK government chief information officer (CIO) and latterly as the Permanent Secretary for Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. He took over as head of the e-Government Unit, the direct successor to the Office of the e-Envoy in September 2004. He left this job in January 2006 to take over as head of the Prime Minister's Delivery UnitOn 18 February 2009, he was confirmed as the new Chief Executive of The Football Association, succeeding Brian Barwick starting the job in June 2009. He resigned from this post on 19 March 2010.He rejoined the Cabinet Office in September 2010 chief operating officer for the newly formed Efficiency and Reform Group. On 11 October 2011 it was announced that he would become Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, replacing Gus O'Donnell, whose three roles were split after his retirement at the end of 2011. However, he only held this role for a few months, announcing in May 2012 that he was resigning to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Richard Heaton. In March 2012, he joined the England Rugby 2015 board and resigned from the Civil Service in May 2012.A lifelong supporter of Arsenal, he lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire. His son, Duncan, is a professional footballer.