Wests Tigers have new hands at the helm following the departures of both the chief executive officer Justin Pascoe and the chairman of the board Lee Hagipantelis.
That is the major fallout from an independent governance and culture review by the joint venture’s three shareholder groups, Holman Barnes Group, Wests Magpies and Balmain Tigers.
And just as the long serving Justin Pascoe and Lee Hagipantelis march out the door, two proven, successful leaders are taking the reins at the Wests Tigers.
Former NSW Premier and Wests Tigers die hard Barry O’Farrell has been appointed chairman in an interim capacity, as is Shane Richardson, who takes up the chief executive officer role at the club.
Holman Barnes Group chairman Tony Andreacchio said the shareholders had accepted the recommendations of the review to appoint an interim chairman and interim chief executive officer to take the club forward.
The Wests Magpies and the Balmain Tigers said they fully support the refresh aimed at delivering long-term success for the club, which has taken out the NRL wooden spoon in the past two seasons.
Mr Andreacchio said a new interim board has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the review recommendations.
The board has been reduced from seven members to four members for the interim phase.
The interim board will be comprised of Mr O’Farrell (chairman), and a representative of each of the three Wests Tigers shareholders – David Gilbert (Holman Barnes Group), Danny Stapleton (Balmain Tigers chairman) and a nomination from the Wests Magpies.
The changes are subject to legal approvals.
Mr O’Farrell and Mr Richardson will take up their roles in the new year and oversee the transition to a new, seven director board (comprising four independent directors, including the chair and a representative from each of the Wests Tigers shareholders).
They will also implement further recommendations from the review to set the club up for long-term success.
Mr Andreacchio said the appointments would give the Wests Tigers the strong and experienced leadership that the club needs at this time.
“We are determined to be successful for our members and fans and that process begins in the front office,” he said.
Mr Andreacchio thanked the outgoing chairman Lee Hagipantelis and CEO Justin Pascoe for their dedication and hard work for the Wests Tigers.
“Lee and Justin faced enormous challenges, but they have left a legacy which gives us a strong base for the future,” he said.
“In particular, they leave us with a world class centre of excellence and the club is in a stronger financial position because of the relationships they established with sponsors and other supporters.”
Mr Andreacchio said the final report of independent review of the club, by former NRL CFO Tony Crawford and businessman Gary Barnier, was submitted to Holman Barnes Group last week.
He said Holman Barnes Group believed it was important to move quickly to accept the key recommendation to appoint a new leadership team without delay. The new team will then be able to implement the other recommendations from the review.
“But one thing is clear: this club is determined to provide the leadership required to be successful in the NRL,” he said.
Danny Stapleton, chairman of the Balmain Tigers (shareholder of the Wests Tigers) said it was significant that all shareholders were united in supporting the changes.
“We all share one goal, to see the Wests Tigers again become a real force in the NRL on and off the field,” he said.
Dennis Burgess, Wests Magpies chairman (shareholder of the Wests Tigers), said the Magpies fully endorsed the review’s recommendations because they are key to the Wests Tigers future success.
