Inside the Young Presidents’ Organisation — a secret club only money and status can access

Behind the doors of luxury resorts, aboard superyachts moored in Sydney Harbour, at private concerts, a group of elite business leaders in the Young Presidents’ Organisation is networking.

Private concerts, Superyacht soiriess, luxury retreats: all are the domian of the Young Presidents Association. Pictures: Supplied

It is a high-rollers club shrouded in secrecy that only money and status can buy, and it’s booming in Sydney.

Behind the doors of booked out luxury resorts or on board super yachts moored in Sydney Harbour, a group of elite business leaders in the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) is networking.

But these men, and a few women, are not just any business leaders. Membership to YPO comes by proving you have made it to president, chairman or CEO of a company of at least 50 employees by age 45, and financial records must be submitted for scrutiny.

To meet the criteria, members must be the head of a company that turns over more than $US10 million annually.

“It’s basically a room full of filthy rich blokes talking about themselves and their wealth,” one former member told The Daily Telegraph.

YPO members boarding a superyacht for an event. Picture: Facebook

But YPO, which has more than 400 members in Sydney spread between three branches, describes itself as a ‘global leadership community of extraordinary chief executives’.

“We come together in YPO to become better leaders and better people. Through YPO, we are inspired and supported to make a difference in the lives, businesses and the world we impact,” YPO says on its website.

Former Gloria Jeans MD Mark Bilton is a proud member of YPO. Picture: Instagram

Longtime member Mark Bilton, who joined 21 years ago, rejects any criticism of the group, describing it as a “global networking and ideas exchange”.

Mr Bilton, founder of Thought Patrol and former managing director of Gloria Jeans, says any perceived elitism comes from the criteria to join, but beyond that, it is a group of people with the same end goal – to be the best leaders they can.

“It can be a lonely spot running a company, so it’s rare to have an opportunity to deeply share with others what it’s like to run an organisation,” Mark Bilton said.

Social events for YPO are a big draw card on the calendar, but limited to members only or occasionally partners are invited.

YPO was the first group to hold a function on board $15 million super yacht The Jackson when it arrived in Sydney earlier this year, and they flew in Human Nature to perform on the night.

Human Nature were flown in especially to perform at a private YPO event. Picture: Facebook

Jessica Mauboy was another featured performer. Picture: Facebook

Another networking soiree was held at the luxury One and Only Wolgan Valley resort, which costs around $60,000 for exclusive hire.

But away from the ritzy events, Mr Bilton said members also met regularly in small groups for a ‘deep dive’ on all things family and business.

“Everyone is wrestling with the same kinds of things, so this is a way to talk about it in a confidential and non-competing environment.”

The luxurious One&Only Resort in Wolgan Valley, NSW costs around $60,000 for exclusive hire.

It hosted a YPO networking soiree.

A former member said he lasted less than 12-months in YPO which he refers to as ‘cult-like’.

“What got to me the most was that it was all self-serving. What do these people actually do for charity or the community?” the former member said.

“They will book out the best hotels, the latest restaurants, fly in private planes … but what about charity?”

The Young Presidents’ Organisation was the first group to hire new luxury yacht The Jackson.

Mr Bilton said supporting a charity as an organisation is something that is likely to happen in the future, but for now, individual members make their own donations.

YPO Public Relations manager Caroline Pitt said the organisation supports human rights initiatives.

“As an organisation, we are a non-profit and are non-political. However, in the spirit of leadership and connectiveness, our independent chapters champion initiatives that support human rights across the globe,” she said.

YPO Australia memberships numbers for the last financial year were the highest since it started, with a third branch, known as a chapter, starting up in Sydney.

Mr Bilton said the organisation no longer has an age limit on women joining, which has greatly helped numbers and diversity.