Gary Pert Quits as MFC CEO

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,901]

50 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Let's see.  He oversaw the developments at Casey Fields.  He has got us closer than any other CEO to a home base with the Caulfield proposal.  He has got the club in the best financial shape it's every been in.  He has seen us get to the highest membership in the club's history.  

 

I think winning the flag in 21 and the exciting footy we played doing it largely took care of the club finances and membership - even I probably could have acheived a similar result at the MFC I'm those circumstances.

Not to say that Pert deserves no credit for some of the achievements at the club during his time though.  The venom and polarisation of this topic has got way out of proportion I feel and I think we'd probably be in agreement on that.

[Storm Boy 376]

I don't have any inside information but I believe the Melbourne Football Club will promote George de Crespigny to the CEO position. George is currently the Chief Commercial Officer. 

George has been working with the Melbourne Football Club for 11 years. George previously worked at the AFL for 8 years and the ACT Brumbies. 

George was a great Footballer for the University Blues Football Club. 

[Cranky Franky 2,093]

36 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Smug and snide Cranky, he may have had a better offer for all you know. He has resided over a flag at Pies and a Flag at Dee’s built up membership at both clubs and strong financials, so for all his faults he has made both clubs more successful.

Not sure how stating the facts is smug or snide.

Several posters here have noted that GP's situation was untenable since the Clarry Mk 2 saga.

I suppose waiting for yourself, Saty or KDF to admit the media got it right & GP had to go is a forlorn hope.

[Ethan Tremblay 30,993]

2 hours ago, Hawk the Demon said:

Good Idea DD. Your best post in years....

I’d laugh. . If you weren’t being serious, Peter!  

Edited October 31 by Ethan Tremblay

[Pennant St Dee 13,305]

Pert and Roffey gone it is what it is allow the media to speculate and devour the carcass of what is currently an easy kill.

They called for change at the MFC with the off field matters (well published) this year and last, yet when change occurs their manta and position is toward continued turmoil not change to move forward.

It’s time for the playing group and football department to knuckle down, less media and less incidents to draw further attention.  just focus on the infield side of things next season and let that do the talking.

And Chris from Camberwell if you’re on here for god sake stop getting on radio claiming to speak for the majority of Melbourne supporters, you certainly don’t speak for me and quite frankly are embarrassing most times you go to air on Dwayne Russell’s show.

[Roost it far 8,688]

I love a fresh start. Thanks GP. Now for preseason. Get it done Dee’s 

[Ethan Tremblay 30,993]

4 minutes ago, Storm Boy said:

I don't have any inside information but I believe the Melbourne Football Club will promote George de Crespigny to the CEO position. George is currently the Chief Commercial Officer. 

George has been working with the Melbourne Football Club for 11 years. George previously worked at the AFL for 8 years and the ACT Brumbies. 

George was a great Footballer for the University Blues Football Club. 

Ethan Tremblay thinks it sounds odd quoting yourself in the third person. 

[Lucifers Hero 40,367]

imv Pert's contribution to the 2021 premiership was the the 2020 restructure of the FD, moving Mahoney out of the FD, recruiting Yze and supporting other coaching changes.  I wasn't and still am not enamoured with the Richardson 'promotion' to FD GM but that aside Pert nailed the early years of his tenure.

He put his own job on the line in supporting Goodwin early in 2021 when members of Board had doubts.

He set up the environment for the coach and the players to be the best they could be.

Without the above I doubt we would have won that precious flag,

Edited October 31 by Lucifers Hero

[Dr. Gonzo 24,330]

1 hour ago, Cranky Franky said:

Wasn't there a bit of friction between PJ & the Board at the end ? I seem to recollect that PJ made recommendations about the new CEO which were ignored.

Josh Mahoney, any chance we go cap in hand back to him?

[Travy14 1,951]

Ok, now go get Bartel

[deegirl 1,578]

1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Someone leaked it ...?

From The Age:

“I asked [Pert] what a succession plan might look like and the conversations flowed from there,” Green said.  “I then asked him if he would consider staying on [to complete] Caulfield because we are that close to getting that high-performance centre done.”  Green said he did not see the decision as a circuit-breaker for the club. “If you believe the outside noise people can see it that way but from our point of view it’s a normal transition.

Not sure that clarifies much.  Some will see it as Pert jumped before being pushed.  Some will see it differently.  We will never know.

My cynical side says pushed. If it was planned we’d have a replacement lined up. 
 

And further to that, it looks as though the Caulfield role is about defraying to cost of the payout. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pert the consultant disappear 

[gs77 4,447]

https://x.com/

Dear Members,

Following my letter last week, I’m writing to share further updates that are central to the future direction of our club. These include important news regarding our CEO, Gary Pert, and key Board nominees, including Steven Smith, who has committed to stepping forward to support the club’s stability and growth.

Firstly, it is with mixed emotions that I announce that, after six years as CEO of the Melbourne Football Club, Gary Pert has decided to retire and will step down from his role.

After careful consideration of what is best for the club, his family, and his own future, Gary concluded that now is the right time to initiate the search for his successor. I want to make it absolutely clear that this decision, including its timing, is Gary’s own.

On behalf of the entire club and Board, I sincerely thank Gary for the invaluable contributions he has made to the red and blue since joining us at the end of the 2018 season. His leadership has been pivotal in delivering a series of significant achievements both on and off the field, instilling a deep sense of pride in all Dees supporters.

Notably, under Gary’s leadership, the club celebrated both an AFL premiership in 2021 and an AFLW premiership in 2022, accompanied by regular finals appearances. A key element of his legacy will be the football review he conducted in 2020, which was instrumental in setting the stage for our 2021 premiership success.

Gary’s influence has also been felt in our financial stability and commercial performance. During his tenure, we achieved record membership growth, rising from 40,000 to over 70,000 members by 2023.

To ensure continuity on one of our most important projects, the Board has asked Gary to stay on in a consulting role, focusing on establishing our state-of-the-art training and administration base at Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. I am pleased to say Gary has accepted this role.

Gary will remain CEO until the end of the year, allowing us ample time to celebrate his remarkable contributions before he narrows his focus to the future of our club at Caulfield.

As the club embarks on an extensive search for our next CEO to guide Melbourne’s future, our Chief Operating Officer, David Chippindall, will step in as interim from January 2025, providing steady leadership until the new CEO is firmly in place.

Members will receive a call for nominations for the Board tomorrow inviting all eligible members passionate about Melbourne’s future to participate. 

In an exciting development, I am thrilled to announce that Steven Smith will nominate for a position on the Board. Should members elect him, I will encourage Steven to seek board endorsement to succeed me as President of the Melbourne Football Club at the end of the 2025 AFL season. His vision and commitment to our club are invaluable assets as we look toward a united and successful future.

In line with our succession planning and recent governance review, the Board has been actively identifying the skills and attributes required to lead the club into the future. I am pleased to announce that, along with Steven, Chris Barlow also intends to nominate for the Board.

If elected, it is the Board’s view that Steven and Chris would each bring a unique blend of experience, passion and strategic vision to our club.

To give you a bit more background, Steven has a deep history with the Melbourne Football Club and the MCC. He played over 200 games for the Dees and won the Best and Fairest in 1981. He also served as MCC President from 2015 to 2019, where he played a key role in securing the AFL Grand Final at the MCG until 2057 and introducing new membership categories. He is a long-serving property and real estate partner named in Best Lawyers™ Australia for Property Law and Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law for the last five years, including ‘Lawyer of the Year.’

Chris Barlow brings vital expertise with decades of experience in retail, property and financial investment and currently serving as Chair of the Big Blue Ocean Group. Chris spent most of his career with a focus in convenience retail, specifically with 7-Eleven building that brand to a dominant, market leading position in Australia from its grass roots in the early 80s. Chris has also served on the Boards of a number of not-for-profit community serving organisations. His fresh perspective and commitment to sustainable growth will further strengthen our Board, bringing new energy and insights to our leadership.

Additionally, I am pleased to confirm that current Directors Sally Freeman and Dr Angela Williams are standing for re-election.  Sally Freeman is an experienced Director, auditor and financial expert and has made a terrific contribution to the Board for the three years she has served, including as the current Chair of the Audit, Risk and Integrity Committee. 

Dr Angela Williams is a more recent appointment to the Board.  Dr Williams is a medical practitioner with postgraduate qualifications in public health, health management, law and business. Dr Williams is an accomplished Director and administrator with extensive Board and Committee experience across a wide variety of sectors including health, emergency services, justice, the Australian Defence Force and both the AFL and Football Victoria. Already, we have seen her positively contribute to the Board.

I believe that Sally and Angela’s nomination offers the club the stability and expertise we need at this time.

The Board will provide members with further information about the election after the nominations period closes.

Thank you once again, and as always—Go Demons!

Brad Green
President
Melbourne Football Club

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,261]

Steven Smith nominating for the board... that has to be positive

[BangBnagBang 703]

2 hours ago, VNightCityLegend said:

Good effing riddance!

Culture suffers everywhere he lands. Main catalyst for Collingwood’s shambolic cultural standards and was a massive part in our troubles. No coincidence that at both clubs, regardless of being successful premierships wise. 
 

Really [censored] me off about how he publicly shopped Oliver around. Your job isn’t to list manage!

I don't know, if a member of the list management committee cant do that who can??

46 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

Are there any former MFC players with the skill and experience to step into the CEO role? 

what about a former hockey player turned full back,

[Farmer 889]

2 hours ago, Wells 11 said:

wow… the review must have been damning. A clean out might be a good thing but who’s going to fill all these holes? 

If Brad Green’s comments are true, Pert has reached his own decision, having raised the subject with the former president many weeks ago. Has achieved a lot.Whilst I’m pleased he is leaving,this  is not the time to be bagging him IMV 

[sue 9,145]

4 minutes ago, deegirl said:

My cynical side says pushed. If it was planned we’d have a replacement lined up. 
 

Surely it's the other way around.  If you plan to push someone you have plenty of time to line up a replacement before you do the actual push (unless you have to push immediately because they have been suddenly caught doing something truly outrageous or illegal).    If you don't have replacement lined up. it sounds more like the person quit without giving much notice.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Well what a day. Was not expecting that ( to actually happen ) but it does look like he's making the best fist of it a going out on his terms.

Got to be a lot more to this and I'll just go get some wine and  nibbles and see what develops. 

Personally  I don't mind it as it seems we need to do a bit of a Phoenix ratm ....

 

[binman 43,831]

2 hours ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

'Sources', said he told 'staff' (Shun) or 'the club' (Rage) this morning.

I wonder what the circumstances were that the Club didn't have a release ready to go alongside this?🤔

I reckon the circumstances are our comms are dead set hopeless. 

That's on the ceo, and will be my abiding memory of Pert's time at the MFC

Edited October 31 by binman

[Lucifers Hero 40,367]

@beelzebub have you noticed there are other emoji reactions besides

 

 

[Demonland 73,186]

https://x.com/melbournefc/status/1851814173870903443

[DeeZone 10,148]

24 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

The para I quoted above is now preceded by this comment in the latest version of the article by The Age:

(Pert) had been discussing a mid-2025 retirement with Roffey before she stood down.

Context is everything. 

We had planned an orderly succession at the top with both Roffey and Pert departing at the top.  Circumstances changed and that plan has been brought forward.  No drama.

Thanks for that clarification Luci makes more sense of what has happened, Pert bought forward his retirement by six months but has agreed to stay on in a consultancy role to oversee the Caulfield project. Interesting times ahead Lucifers Hero. No doubt still a lot to play out.

[Dante 2,739]

30 minutes ago, Storm Boy said:

I don't have any inside information but I believe the Melbourne Football Club will promote George de Crespigny to the CEO position. George is currently the Chief Commercial Officer. 

George has been working with the Melbourne Football Club for 11 years. George previously worked at the AFL for 8 years and the ACT Brumbies. 

George was a great Footballer for the University Blues Football Club. 

Sorry to say that that won't happen.

[sue 9,145]

For Petracca watchers too:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/gary-pert-quits-as-melbourne-ceo-20241031-p5kmu7.html

[binman 43,831]

52 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

imv Pert's contribution to the 2021 premiership was the the 2020 restructure of the FD, moving Mahoney out of the FD, recruiting Yze and supporting other coaching changes.  I wasn't and still am not enamoured with the Richardson 'promotion' to FD GM but that aside Pert nailed the early years of his tenure.

He put his own job on the line in supporting Goodwin early in 2021 when members of Board had doubts.

He set up the environment for the coach and the players to be the best they could be.

Without the above I doubt we would have won that precious flag,

Great post luci.

As much as people like binary good or bad assessments, the reality is Pert did alot right and like anyone had areas for improvement. 

Those two things are always in tension, which is why in most organisations CEOs have a shelf life.

Whatever people's view of pert, or how much credit he gets (and my views align with yours), his legacy is assured - he led the dees to our first flag in 57 years.

In an industry that is all about winning flags, two flags look pretty good on a resume.

Edited October 31 by binman

[Dr. Gonzo 24,330]

1 hour ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Let's see.  He oversaw the developments at Casey Fields.  He has got us closer than any other CEO to a home base with the Caulfield proposal.  He has got the club in the best financial shape it's every been in.  He has seen us get to the highest membership in the club's history.  

 

Caulfield is yet to be realised and until it is I'll hold my fire on congratulating anyone for getting close. The last strategic plan said we would commence build by end of 2023 which didn't happen.

Strategic plan expired end of 2023, no new one by Board/CEO.

Increased membership/finances on back of premiership onfield success. Failed to consolidate this including failure to meet strategic objectives 2 & 4. Crowds and membership dropped off significantly in 2024.

Presided over poor culture and leaking of sensitive info to the media after this had been curtailed under PJ.

Thanks for your service Gary but it was time to move on and I think it probably happened a year or so later than it should have. Hopefully we get a strong operator on board who can get the club back on track in 2025.