Ian Robson officially replaced Peter Jackson as chief executive of the Essendon Football Club this week.

We caught up with him to ask a few questions and there is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have too.

To listen to Ian Robson interviewed on SEN click here.

Welcome to Windy Hill Ian. What is your professional background?

Working in reverse, I have spent the past five years as chief executive of the Hawthorn Football Club, prior to that that I was in Scotland as chief executive of the government's sports agency Sport Scotland (the Australian equivalent of the Australian Sports Commission). Prior to that I worked in Leeds, England as general manager of marketing - and then chief executive - of the SuperLeague rugby league competition. Prior to that I spent a year in Sydney as the general manager of marketing of the Superleague competition and prior to that I had four years in Auckland as the inaugural chief executive of the Auckland Warriors so I have a lot of empathy for the challenges that lay ahead for Travis Auld with the Gold Coast. I also spent three years with the Swans in Sydney so I have been on a professional journey in sport for 20-odd years. It's good to be settled back here in Melbourne and this is the first time I have accepted a job in the last 20-years where I haven't had to contemplate moving home so that is a good thing for us as a family.

How much football did you play?

I am a failed league footballer. I played three years at St Kilda, I played some under19s and reserves in the late 70s early 80s and I grew up as a St Kilda supporter. It was very apparent to me that my career as a player was going to be short lived so it has turned out well that I have been able to pursue a career path in sports administration.

So you were a Saints supporter?

Yes, I grew up in Tasmania barracking for them. Oscar is pretty keen on staying a Hawk but we might win him over to Essendon in time because he already has a favourite Bomber player. We are all really looking forward to becoming part of the Essendon family.

What do you like to do away from football?

As you grow up and have a family, that becomes your priority and quite rightly so. I enjoy spending whatever time I can with Juliette and the kids and I find it a great release from the intense world within the AFL. We enjoy getting out in the fresh air whether that is at the beach or in park somewhere. I love taking both my son Oscar to Auskick and my daughter Matilda to netball.

What were your views of Essendon before coming here?

Essendon is one of the stellar brands of the competition - it is a foundation club and one of the big three clubs in Melbourne. It is involved in big games irrespective of where the Bombers are on the ladder like Dreamtime and ANZAC Day and I am looking forward to being part of those games. The traditional rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond and more recently Hawthorn make for exciting big match occasions every year. It is an exciting time for everyone involved with the club and a great opportunity for people like Matthew Knights and myself to come in and provide our energy to work with the board and see the club grow.

Why did you come to Essendon?

I have enjoyed a wonderful five year journey at Hawthorn but the opportunity that was presented to me by the Essendon board was really exciting. It is a chance to build upon the legacy of the great work over many years by Peter Jackson. I discussed it with my family and when I was looking at what the next chapter of my career might look like, the Essendon opportunity became ever more compelling. I am looking forward to knuckling down and tackling the preseason and preparing for another assault on the flag next year. The club has a good young list and a bright future awaits us all.
 
To ask Ian Robson a question simply click here.
 
Don't forget to bid on Scott Lucas and Jobe Watson's 2009 playing jumpers and a match ball signed by Matthew Lloyd by simply clicking here.