Carlton appoints Cain Liddle as new chief executive officer

CARLTON tried to poach a Sydney club’s boss to fill its CEO post, before passing on a former AFL executive and settling on a highly-regarded Richmond administrator.

Carlton president Mark LoGiudice. Pic: Britta Campion

CARLTON made an approach to Greater Western Sydney boss David Matthews about its chief executive role before settling on the man who helped build Richmond into a financial powerhouse Cain Liddle.

In a major leadership surprise, the Blues this afternoon confirmed former Geelong player Liddle had won the job over more heavily-fancied former AFL football operations boss Simon Lethlean.

Lethlean was seen as hot favourite to join the Blues, but is now free to contend for the vacant Collingwood chief executive position after Carlton opted for the former Tigers’ customer officer.

FALLOUT: LETHLEAN LEAVES AFL, CHAMPION DATA

GONE: TRIGG STEPS DOWN FROM BLUES

Carlton President Mark LoGiudice. Pic: Britta Campion

Many believed Simon Lethlean would win the top job at Carlton. Picture: Getty Images

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has endorsed Lethlean for a senior club role since his resignation from the league in July over an inappropriate relationship with a female staff member.

But the Herald Sun has confirmed Carlton also made a move for highly-respected Giants’ chief executive Matthews, but was knocked back by him.

Matthews was AFL development manager before moving north to take over GWS at a crucial early stage in November 2011.

The Blues yesterday said they were thrilled to land former Geelong player Liddle, who has helped build Richmond into a financial powerhouse.

Liddle joined Richmond in 2010 and played a key role in the Tigers’ staggering membership growth, helping double their tally from 36,000 to 75,000 this year.

He was also responsible for ticketing, retail, licensing and corporate revenues at Richmond and was general manager of Allied Leisure, the recreation and aquatics business which will help earn Richmond more than $15 million in revenue this year.

Carlton wanted GWS boss David Matthews for its vacant CEO job. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Liddle, who played four games for the Cats in 1994-95 and coached Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup, and Vic Metro, replaces Steven Trigg.

The Blues maintained they would use a stringent process with the help of directors Chris Judd and Kate Jenkins.

Carlton president Mark LoGiudice was thrilled with the appointment.

“After a thorough and extensive process conducted by David Campbell of Egon Zehnder and led by the selection panel consisting of myself, and club directors Kate Jenkins and Chris Judd, we are fortunate to have secured Cain as the club’s next CEO,” LoGiudice said.

“He brings a wealth of commercial and consumer experience and we believe he is the ideal candidate that will be integral in leading the club to its next level of success.”