North Melbourne would be the solely AFL membership to have each a feminine chief government and president after appointing Melbourne Cricket Club administrator Jennifer Watt as CEO.
Watt, who will work with president Sonja Hood, is the league’s second feminine membership chief government after Tracey Gaudry’s short-lived tenure at Hawthorn in 2017.
The Kangaroos have been on the hunt for a brand new CEO since Ben Amarfio resigned in September and stepped down on the finish of October, after three turbulent seasons.
Geelong soccer supervisor Simon Lloyd had additionally been within the combine however the Kangaroos opted for Watt, who has 20 years’ expertise in soccer and sports activities administration and administration.
Watt spent 14 years at AFL rivals Melbourne, together with eight years as their head of promoting and communications, and in 2016 obtained the AFL’s Graeme Samuel Scholarship, awarded to excellent soccer trade directors.
Watt joined the MCC as normal supervisor of economic operations and partnerships in October 2017.
That function included the renegotiation of Cricket Australia’s partnership and the AFL membership agreements with the MCG.
In a letter to Kangaroos members saying the news, Hood mentioned Watt’s appointment “caps off a significant period of change” at North Melbourne, which included Alastair Clarkson’s appointment as head coach.
Hood famous it had been crucial “to choose the right CEO – a club CEO, not a football CEO or a commercial CEO”, with the membership assured Watt might deliver a “one club” mentality to Arden St.
“There is a natural alignment of values between both parties,” Hood mentioned in a press release.
“Jen’s collaborative leadership style and focus on developing authentic relationships with her people really stood out to us as a club.
“Her in depth expertise at each an AFL membership and venue has supplied Jen with a deep understanding and data of the complexities of the AFL trade.”
Watt will begin at the Kangaroos on January 23.
“It’s an honour to have the ability to lead the membership into the long run,” Watt mentioned in a press release.
“The membership is stuffed with promise, there’s a lot to be enthusiastic about.”
