Wests Tigers owners remove four independent directors including chairman Barry O’Farrell in takeover bid
The axed Tigers board members have hit back over their surprise removal by the NRL club’s majority owners, claiming they were never told specific details of Holman Barnes Group’s concerns.
Wests Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell and three fellow independent directors have hit back after they were sensationally dumped from the Tigers board by the club’s majority owner the Holman Barnes Group.
The Tigers have again descended into political chaos after former NSW Premier O’Farrell was axed on Monday afternoon alongside Annabelle Williams, Charlie Viola and Michelle McDowell, leaving the Holman Barnes Group with full control of the Tigers.
The move was so surprising that the quartet claim they were never told specific details of the Holman Barnes Group’s concerns.
The decision also places chief executive Shane Richardson in a precarious position. The blindsided independent quartet were appointed to the board in January but won’t last a year.
The widespread changes implemented earlier this year were part of an extensive governance and cultural review which led to the axing of previous chairman Lee Hagipantelis and chief executive Justin Pascoe.
Holman Barnes will now gain full control of the Tigers and it is understood they have already appointed new board members including Holman Barnes chief executive Daniel Paton.
Paton hit out at the Tigers board over what he described as poor communication with the owners of the club.
“The Holman Barnes board has been left in the dark on some commercially sensitive announcements,” Paton said.
“The Holman Barnes board does not believe communication between the boards has been satisfactory.
“We don’t want to micromanage the football operations. We do have to be consulted on decisions . Balmain isn’t going anywhere. We are proud and committed supporters of Balmain.
“Balmain are very much a part of the joint venture. (We want a Leagues) club back in Rozelle.
“The changes are at the governance level.”
O’Farrell did not return calls on Monday night. Holman Barnes have been plagued by governance issues of their own with four board members removed by politically infighting this year.
Despite the move to depose O’Farrell, the owners insist they are committed to Richardson and coach Benji Marshall. Richardson, however, is a close ally of O’Farrell and was an outspoken advocate for independence when he took the job as Tigers chief executive.
The Tigers board had been due to meet on Tuesday.
The Holman Barnes Group said in a statement that the 2024 review “has not provided the level of communication and alignment needed between the Wests Tigers and its parent entity, Holman Barnes Group”.
“To strengthen governance and ensure clearer visibility and collaboration across both organisations, a notice of removal has been issued to the independent directors of the Wests Tigers board.
“These governance changes that have been enacted will have no impact on the football operations, coaching staff or players. The Holman Barnes Group has full faith and commitment in Shane Richardson as CEO and Benji Marshall as coach.
“Our focus is on stability, unity and success both on and off the field. Holman Barnes Group and the Wests Tigers share a deep commitment to the players, members, fans and communities, and we will continue to work together to build a strong, sustainable and successful long-term future for the club.”
On Tuesday morning, the banned Tigers four members have hit out at claims by the Holman Barnes Group that they “lacked communication” as the fallout from their surprise axing continues.
O’Farrell, Viola, McDowell and Williams issued a joint statement that they were “disappointed” that the board had been dismantled after just 11 months.
The respected business people were taken aback when news spread of their bans on Monday afternoon.
The quartet had been due to meet at a Tigers board meeting on Tuesday.
Instead they are now dealing with the fallout of their stint on the Tigers board coming to an end at the hands of Holman Barnes.
“Since January 2025, the board has been unified and effective in improving the Wests Tigers’ governance, strategy and financial performance,” the quartet said in a statement obtained by this masthead.
“We have at all times complied with our fiduciary duties in our roles as directors.
“We reject any suggestion of a lack of communication with Holman Barnes Group. Holman Barnes Group is represented on the board of the Wests Tigers and its representative has been present at all Wests Tigers board meetings and provided with all board information.
“No concerns have been raised by the representative of Holman Barnes Group at any Wests Tigers board meeting in relation to governance, communication or consultation. We are yet to be informed of the details or particulars of Holman Barnes Group’s concerns.”
Holman Barnes privately indicated concerns regarding four recent developments including the colour of the new Tigers jersey, the club’s stadiums strategy, a push by the independent board members who wanted to update the shareholding agreement and a lack of communication.
Holman Barnes have had two representatives on the Tigers board.
“For the strong and independent governance of the Wests Tigers to be dismantled after only 11 months is extremely disappointing,” the axed board members statement read. “The most important thing is to protect the club, the staff, the players and the members.”
Chief executive Richardson’s future is also under a cloud.
Originally published as Wests Tigers owners remove four independent directors including chairman Barry O’Farrell in takeover bid
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