Melbourne chief executive officer Gary Pert has resigned.
The Demons boss informed the club of his departure on Thursday morning, this masthead has confirmed with a source who had direct knowledge of the decision.
Pert will stay on in the role until Christmas, after which he plans to retire.
Departing Melbourne chief executive officer Gary Pert.Credit: Joe Armao
Melbourne’s chief operating officer David Chippindall will take over as acting CEO.
It continues a year of drama for the Dees, who will hand down the findings of two separate reviews into the club’s operations on Friday.
Former Melbourne Cricket Club president Steven Smith is expected to join the MFC board following the reviews.
Two sources familiar with Melbourne’s decision-making, who would not be quoted ahead of an announcement, indicated that Smith was part of a succession plan and would serve on the board for 12 months before taking over from former captain Brad Green as president.
Green stepped into the role after the departure of former president Kate Roffey in September.
Pert has been leading Melbourne’s proposal to build a combined training base and administration headquarters at Caulfield Racecourse. This masthead reported that the club faced a $70 million funding gap for the project, continuing the Demons’ 20-year search for a permanent home in central Melbourne.
More to come.
