Collingwood’s Jeff Browne succession plan has been endorsed by the club’s members at AGM

On a big night for Collingwood, Barry Carp was officially voted in as president, two other big names joined the board and Craig Kelly had a message for upset members.

Collingwood’s succession plan has been endorsed by the club’s members with Barry Carp voted in to replace outgoing president Jeff Browne.

Carp and fellow director Renee Roberts were returned to the board while two new faces, Warner Music Australia boss Dan Rosen and human resources expert Gaye Morris, were added at the club’s Annual General Meeting on Monday night.

Browne is retiring after three years in the top job which included the 2023 premiership victory and a record membership of 110,628 in 2024.

Collingwood’s next president Barry Carp and Gaye Morris, who was added to the club’s board on Monday night. Picture: Michael Klein

“As I leave I am so excited with how this club is set up for the future,” Browne said.

He pointed to the importance of the club’s Future Fund which he says is vital for the Pies independence and has a current balance of around $24 million.

“We need to reinvest and build that because we have to be safe and bullet-proof so that no-one else can come and get us, no-one can hurt us,” Browne said.

“The AFL can’t hurt us because we are strong and independent. We are proudly the least assisted club by the AFL in the competition.

“I am really proud of that independence because we have determined our own destiny and we stand tall above the others, a world-class club.”

Carp, the founder of fund management company River Capital who has been on the board since 2021, will lead the seven-member board which also includes incumbent football director Paul Licuria, ex-player and past players’ president Paul Tuddenham and vice-president Jodie Sizer.

Former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate stepped down after nine years on the board.

Chief executive Craig Kelly apologised to members for the standard of communication saying “we can do better” regarding the information flow about changes in membership packages and finals seating which had upset fans.

He revealed that plans were underway to build a “clubhouse” in the sporting precinct near the AIA Centre and the MCG so Pies fans could congregate before and after games.

Outgoing Magpies president Jeff Browne. Picture: Michael Klein

More investment was also being directed into the AFLW side after they finished last this season with the club spending $1 million in soft cap expenses across both the men’s and women’s teams.

Six premiership players were awarded life membership including captain Darcy Moore, Jack Crisp, Jordan De Goey, Mason Cox, Brayden Maynard and recently retired defender Nathan Murphy.

Long-time boot studder Neil Price and Holgate also received life memberships.

Originally published as Collingwood’s Jeff Browne succession plan has been endorsed by the club’s members at AGM