After months of speculation, former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan will no longer put his hand up for the key role amid industry speculation he will be named the new chief executive of Tabcorp.
Former AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has pulled out of the race to be chairman of Racing Victoria.
After months of speculation, McLachlan will no longer put his hand up for the key role amid industry speculation he will be named the new chief executive of Tabcorp.
Given the obvious conflicts between Tabcorp and horse racing, the CEO could not sit on the Racing Victoria board.
Racenet understands McLachlan could be announced as the new boss of Tabcorp — a job which has a salary of more thn $2 million — within the next few days.
Outgoing RV chairman Mike Hirst, speaking on RSN Friday morning, said it was his “understanding of the situation” that McLachlan was out of the race to be the new chairman.
“He’s an outstanding sports administrator, he would’ve been a good addition to the board but unfortunately it doesn’t appear to be the timing is right for that,” Hirst said.
“I do know he’s been very keen to nail down a day job and the timing just hasn’t been right for that, he’s still looking to nail that down.
“I finish up on June 30 and the timing is right to bring on the new board members in and bring together a new leadership team. (McLachlan is) very passionate about the industry and he’s been very public about wanting to contribute to the industry.”
Tabcorp has been without a CEO since March when Adam Rytenskild resigned for using “inappropriate and offensive language” at work when referring to a female racing figure.
Racenet has established director Tim Eddy could be anointed as the lead candidate for RV chairman, with Hirst set to officially step down at the end of the month.
Eddy was first elected to the RV board in 2019.
On Friday morning, Racing Minister Anthony Carbines announced two new directors to the board — Tim Rourke and Mark Player.
It is understood Mr Carbines held back the appointments of Player and Rourke to streamline the process, had McLachlan joined the ticket.
McLachlan had been linked to the RV role the past nine months but the executive free agent remained adamant, privately and publicly, that he wanted to secure a day job first before making any racing commitments.
It is understood McLachlan, a passionate racing enthusiast, owner, breeder and punter, has met with Carbines in recent days.
Player and Rourke replace retired RV board members Greg Nichols and Hirst respectively.
Rourke has extensive business experience and is the current chief executive Officer of CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy. Mr Rourke also currently serves as a director on the boards of Energy Networks Australia and United Energy.
Prior to his current appointments, Rourke has held various senior positions across the energy sector since 1995 and is also an active thoroughbred owner and breeder.
Player, currently executive chairman of Macedon Lodge, has more than 25 years’ experience in the racing industry, working in senior positions at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing and RV.
Player founded International Thoroughbred Solutions in 2011, an independent thoroughbred consultancy business whose clients have included the HKJC, Ascot, Newmarket and Goodwood Racecourses (UK), Breeders Cup (USA) and Goffs.
Hirst said: “We congratulate Tim and Mark on their appointments to the Board and believe their skill sets will be of great benefit to Racing Victoria and the broader industry.
“Both Mark’s extensive international equine and racing expertise and Tim’s business acumen and passion for the industry will make them invaluable additions to the Board,” he said.
“The members of the Board look forward to working with Tim and Mark and are confident that they will play a key role in fostering the ongoing success of Victorian racing.”
Rourke and Player will commence their respective terms immediately, with Rourke appointed for a term of four years, and Player for a term of two years.
Hirst is set to start as chairman for ASX-listed financial services heavyweight AMP Limited.
“Mr Carbines advised in his announcement that he had finalised his appointments to the RV Board,” Racing Victoria said in a statement on Friday.
“On this basis, as per the RV Constitution, the RV Board will now nominate a Director to be the RV Chair for the Minister’s approval and will also select a Deputy Chair.
“The Board’s next scheduled meeting is Friday, 21 June and it is anticipated that both roles will be resolved at or before that meeting.”
When Eddy was announced to the board in 2019, then chairman Brian Kruger said: “Tim is not only an incredibly experienced and knowledgeable business leader; he is a long-time racehorse owner who is passionate about thoroughbred racing and ensuring that our sport remains vibrant and successful.”
Eddy has 45 years’ experience leading and managing professional services, risk management and governance operations and currently holds executive and non-executive advisory roles with a range of private and government organisations.
He had a distinguished career with global giant Ernst and Young where he was formerly managing partner of Oceania operations, and the global vice-chair of Ernst and Young’s Global Services organisation.