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Xavier Campbell has resigned as Essendon CEO to continue the chaotic fallout at the club.
It comes after a horror week for the Bombers including David Barham replacing Paul Basher as president after board upheaval and the club’s pursuit of coaching great Alastair Clarkson backfiring as Ben Rutten was eventually sacked.
It ends Campbell’s 14-year run at the club including nine as chief executive. The club’s search for its new CEO will begin immediately, with chief commercial officer Nick Ryan to assume interim duties.
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It comes despite Campbell earlier this year despite signing a two-year extension with the club, but the change in leadership has prompted mass changes.
Campbell was a key orchestrator of the succession plan from John Worsfold to Rutten and a fan of the recently-sacked coach, wanting the club to stick with him for the final year of his contract.
Therefore the club’s 11th-hour bid for Clarkson, led by Barham, made Campbell’s position as CEO untenable.
Campbell also helped steer Essendon out of its messy supplements saga, and despite the club’s indifferent on-field results, has helped build it into a financial powerhouse including record numbers in sponsorship and membership
“Being CEO is more than a job and it has been an absolute privilege, a pleasure, and an experience I will always be proud of,” Campbell said.
“I have done everything in my power to restore the club’s financial, structural, and cultural stability; to help pick up the pieces and put the club back together after the heartbreak, chaos, and instability of my first four years was one of the more difficult tasks I will face in my professional career. And despite the challenges of this past week – I believe we have done that.
“Under the previous boards and the presidency of Paul Little, Lindsay Tanner and Paul Brasher we have delivered these outcomes. I leave the club confident in the knowledge that despite the challenges of the past week or so it is in stronger shape than people may believe. We have an exceptionally strong financial base, significant membership base and a talented and young playing group that will help us build toward our next premiership.
“With the many strong building blocks that are firmly in place at Essendon, the decision to appoint a new coach and a bold vision under new president Dave Barham, there is an opportunity to take the club on to finals success and ultimately, a premiership. And I hope as much as anyone that we do that.”
“What this needs is; a focused and well-supported president, a board united in its intent, strategy and voice, working in lockstep with management, supported by loyal and committed members and fans who believe in the club, the direction it’s heading and the team that can take it there. Our playing group deserves nothing less than this. Our AFLW team deserves this. Our fans and members deserve it and are ready for it.
“I want to thank our board, previous board members and chairs, my team and our tremendous staff and volunteers for their support and commitment, in getting the club to this point.
“Most important of all though, I want to thank my beautiful wife Clare and my children, Freddie & Francesca who, for me, make every day worthwhile. This club is closer to on-field success than many think. And I look forward to watching the journey toward this success unfold.”
It’s believed other board members including Simon Madden and Sean Wellman could depart, while long-time list boss Adrian Dodoro is also under pressure.
The Herald Sun reports the club is weighing up a new-look football department, but that footy boss Josh Mahoney’s position is safe.
Barham thanked Campbell for his service to the club including times of hardship.
“Xavier is to be congratulated for his service to the Essendon Football Club,” Barham said.
“He assumed the position at a time that required strong leadership during the most turbulent time in our history.
“He tirelessly led to reform the club’s governance, cultural and structural processes following the fallout of that difficult period and managed very complex situations through the legal procedures, including the AFL Anti-Doping and WADA appeals and sanctions processes as well as being instrumental in player and sponsor retention during this most challenging periods.
“And under his leadership, significantly, saw the elimination of the associated debt that peaked during this time.
“Xavier and his executive and administration team have since significantly shaped the growth of this club, rising from 53,00 members in 2013 to more than 88,000 in 2022.
“From a football perspective, under Xavier’s leadership, we qualified for finals in four of the first eight seasons, and in recent years, also secured the licence for our AFLW team.
“Xavier’s commercial acumen has helped to strengthen this club immensely; he has been instrumental in securing and retaining our key major partners including Fujitsu General Australia, Amart and previously, KIA.
“The debt-free completion of the second phase of the NEC Hangar expansion will best position this club for on-field success with the world-class facilities we call home, and under Xavier’s tenure, he has overseen the establishment of the Windy Hill masterplan vision for the benefit of the local community for generations to come.
“On behalf of the board of directors, we sincerely thank Xavier for his undeniable commitment to the role.
“I wish to also take this opportunity thank his wife Clare and their children Freddie and Francesca for their support to Xavier during his time as CEO.
“We will commence the process to appoint a new chief executive in the coming days, and Xavier will assist in this transition phase. We are now in a strong position to continue our pursuit for the ultimate success for our teams.”
The Bombers celebrated their 150th year anniversary in 2022, finishing 15th on the ladder with seven wins after last year’s finals appearance.
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