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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 Brasher as president after board upheaval and the club’s pursuit of coaching great Alastair Clarkson backfiring as Ben Rutten was eventually sacked.
Essendon on Wednesday morning confirmed Campbell’s departure after 14 years at the club including nine as chief executive. The club’s search for its next CEO will begin immediately as chief commercial officer Nick Ryan assumes interim duties.
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It comes despite Campbell earlier this year signing a two-year extension until 2024, with the change in leadership prompting 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.”
It’s believed other board members could depart, with multiple reports stating Simon Madden has also resigned from his position, 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.
“On behalf of the board of directors, we sincerely thank Xavier for his undeniable commitment to the role.”
The Bombers celebrated their 150th year anniversary in 2022, finishing 15th on the ladder with seven wins after last year’s finals appearance as the club now embarks on an external review.
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