Former Conservative Party Chairman Lord Mawhinney was appointed Independent Chairman of The Football League in January 2003. His appointment is widely regarded as the catalyst for a drive towards good governance in football and has seen The League introduce a range of new practices such as the publication of clubs spending on agents' fees, fit and proper persons tests for club directors and player salary control measures.He also oversaw The League's successful re-branding in 2004.

During his accomplished political career Mawhinney also served as Secretary of State for Transport, Minister for Health, Minister of State for Northern Ireland responsible for security and political development, Cabinet Minister without portfolio and Shadow Home Secretary.

Lord Mawhinney's political career began when he contested the Stockton and Billingham seat in the October 1974 General Election. He became MP for Peterborough in May 1979 before going on to hold the seat for North West Cambridgeshire up until his retirement from the House of Commons in May 2005. The following month he received a life peerage, becoming Baron Mawhinney, of Peterborough, in the County of Cambridgeshire.