Mark Ashton: Ipswich Town appoint Bristol City chief executive

Mark Ashton joined Bristol City in January 2016, following a spell as chief executive of Oxford United

Ipswich Town have appointed Bristol City chief executive Mark Ashton to the same position at Portman Road.

Former Watford and Oxford United CEO Ashton will make the move on 1 June after five years with the Robins.

League One Ipswich were taken over by American investment fund ORG last week.

"I am delighted to be joining. There is a lot of hard work that lies ahead and I am genuinely excited at the opportunity to take the club forward," Ashton said.

Ashton will spend the rest of the Championship season with Bristol City, whose board of directors will "consider its options" with regard to replacing him.

Ipswich chairman Mike O'Leary said: "He is a high energy, demanding, loyal, commercially savvy, well-connected and high-integrity leader and we look forward very much to him making a major contribution to our journey here at Ipswich Town."

Robins owner Steve Lansdown, meanwhile, said it is "disappointing" to see Ashton leave but understands his wish to "take on a new challenge".