Gary Pert quits Melbourne CEO role

Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert has quit, capping a year of off-field turmoil that has engulfed the club and claimed several big-name scalps.

Melbourne interim president Brad Green has confirmed the Herald Sun’s exclusive story about Gary Pert’s resignation as the club’s chief executive, but insisted it was his call, not the board’s.

Green said Pert will stay on in the role until the end of the year and will remain as a consultant to help steer Melbourne’s proposed move to Caulfield racecourse.

“Gary came to us about this decision, the board didn’t speak with him about it,” Green said.

“Perty has been having conversations with (former president) Kate (Roffey) for the last four months about retiring and a succession period.

“Once I had taken over (Roffey’s) role, we kept having those conversations and he (Pert) said that he would never want to leave the club in the lurch.

“We wanted to do an orderly transition and we felt this was the right timing for everyone.”

Pert, who joined the Demons as CEO in 2018, told Melbourne staff on Thursday morning of his decision to retire from the role.

Gary Pert has stepped down as Melbourne CEO. Picture: Michael Klein

The club’s chief operating officer David Chippindall will take over as interim CEO early next year until a replacement CEO can be found.

Green said the toll that the past few years had taken on Pert in regard to outside scrutiny had played a part in his decision to step away.

“I think the last three to four years have taken a toll on him and his family, with the constant scrutiny that he had,” Green said.

“I think it was the same with Kate. It wears you down after a while.

“The achievements he has done — the financial stability, getting rid of debt, taking (the membership from) 40,000 to 75,000, and the premierships (in AFL and AFLW). For a guy who is harshly done by from an external point of view, internally he is such a revered figure.

“I have spoken to the staff in here and there are certainly some teary eyes. It is a sad day, but as you know, football clubs have to move on quickly.”

Green confirmed Pert would continue to work towards securing Melbourne a new high performance, with ongoing discussions and a business plan for Caulfield Racecourse.

“He will work up until Christmas (as CEO) and as a board, we have asked him to stay on as a consultant to get this Caulfield project over the line.

“We are the closest we have ever been to a high performance centre and I have no doubt we will get there. He will lead the way and get that done.”

Former Federal Court of Australia judge Tony Pagone will vie for one of four vacant Melbourne board spots after registering his intent with the Demons on Thursday.

Pagone has an exceptional resume as the recent chairman of the Royal Commission into the Aged Care and Safety and is also a former Supreme Court judge.

He is joined by Melbourne board aspirant Peter Lawrence, who has spent over $700,000 fighting the club over election transparency.

They will form a ticket in an attempt to both find spots on the eight-person board as Demons members push for even more change after the departure of CEO Gary Pert and president Kate Roffey.

King’s Counsel Pagone is a specialist in tax law, commercial law, administrative law and constitutional law and was a Special Counsel to the Australian Taxation Office between 2002 and 2004.

Under Melbourne’s election rules after nominations close for board spots none of the candidates are permitted to conduct media interviews spruiking their wares.

But while former player and MCC president Steve Smith is a lock for one of the vacant spots, aspirants believe there is a strong chance an independent candidate might find their way onto the board.