THE MELBOURNE Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Pert as the Club’s next Chief Executive Officer.

Pert has a strong leadership background most recently as the CEO of the Collingwood Football Club, where he oversaw a significant period of growth, both on and off the field, in his 11 years at the helm.

Prior to the Collingwood, Pert was the General Manager at Austero Melbourne, as well as the Manager Director role at Channel 9 and a long-term board position at SEN Radio. Pert also played 233 games for Fitzroy and Collingwood across his 13 seasons in the AFL.

Melbourne Chairman Glen Bartlett welcomes Gary to Club and said that he looks forward to his contribution to its future success.

“On behalf of the Board I would like to thank all candidates who expressed an interest in becoming the CEO of this great Club.  It is coveted role and we had an outstanding field of candidates.  Gary Pert presented as an outstanding candidate with excellent credentials and a strong track record of producing commercial outcomes.

“Gary also oversaw the development of new facilities at Olympic Park and the Holden Centre,  a period of strong commercial growth and was CEO when they won their last premiership.  The Board were unanimous in their decision that Gary was the best candidate to lead Melbourne through its next phase.

“I would like to thank the Board for their professional approach and the team at Russell Reynolds led by Stephen Langton who were outstanding with their professional support of each candidate, the board and for their independence counsel.

Bartlett also praised the leadership of current CEO Peter Jackson.

“Peter commenced his role as CEO in April 2013 and has worked tirelessly with the board and his executive team to successfully transform the Club to a position where there is a significant opportunity for sustained success on and off the field.  We expect a smooth transition which will continue the momentum towards the Club becoming Respected and Great in all facets.

Pert said he was looking forward to starting in the role and continuing the growth that’s been established under the current board and management group.

“I’m really excited to be working with the Board and staff of the Melbourne Football Club to continue the momentum building both on and off the field. The Melbourne Football Club is one of the great Clubs of the AFL and I welcome the opportunity to be part of its journey and the growth of the Club into the future.

Pert will commence in the role in October of 2018.