​Mark Ashton, Ipswich Town’s chairman and chief executive, has stated the club’s ambition to stabilise in the Premier League and aim for Europe, among a range of topics discussed in an interview with BBC Radio Suffolk.Since taking the role in 2021, Ashton has presided over a period of exceptional success on and off the pitch, including Town twice being promoted to the top flight.In a feature interview, available on BBC Sounds, he discussed the club’s transfer strategy, the desire of its investors and their shared vision for the future.Moving on from McKennaThe Tractor Boys earned their third promotion in five seasons in May, sealing an immediate return to the top flight after relegation in 2024-25.Their initial return to the Premier League came off the back of consecutive promotions from League One and the Championship, after years of stagnation since the early 2000s.However, at the end of last season, Kieran McKenna – the manager who guided the club through its period of success – unexpectedly announced he would step down, and was replaced by Gary O’Neil.Gary O’Neil took over as Ipswich manager after the departure of Kieran McKenna in June [Getty Images]The Suffolk club appear to have adapted well to the change, having already picked up three wins in the league – only one fewer than they managed in the entirety of their previous season at this level.Ahead of Saturday’s trip to fellow promoted side Hull City, they sit 12th in the table.”It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind,” said Ashton.”He [O’Neil] has come in really calmly, very focused, strong-minded on what he wants to do, and has showed real leadership by my side on how we’ve stepped through all those challenges.”Without that calm leadership I don’t think you get the points on the board.”Are Ipswich better equipped for Premier League this time?Legend of the club – but McKenna leaves promoted IpswichAshton said O’Neil and McKenna shared “similarities”, adding that O’Neil was a “great communicator” and they talked every day.Ashton has also got an office at the training ground “so we can work closely but make sure he has enough space to do his job”.Not looking to stand stillAshton has been the club’s chief executive since 2021 [John Fairhall/BBC]Throughout a 22-minute conversation, Ashton hammered home one point more than any other – the intention to restore Ipswich’s glory days.The club became English champions for the first and only time in 1961-62, and famously won the Uefa Cup in 1981.Changes to Ipswich’s ownership were made last year, with several investors coming on board, and Ashton said they were proving a driving force behind the scenes.”The investors are committed, they push hard, [and] no harder did they push on anything than they have done in the transfer window,” said Ashton.”They were brutal with me on how hard they wanted me to keep the foot on the gas, and I think that related into not just the quantum of players that we brought in for both men’s and women’s teams, but quality,