Canterbury chairman John Khoury has confirmed he is stepping down from the role after four years at the helm.
Sources with knowledge of the situation, talking on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely, confirmed data analytics expert Adam Driussi, the co-founder of billion-dollar business Quantium, will be elected to replace him.
Canterbury sources told this masthead there is no animosity between Khoury and his fellow directors, and he will remain on the board.
Khoury will formally announce the changes and unveil the new chairman at Sunday’s annual general meeting at Canterbury League Club.
“Throughout my tenure as chairman, our board has always maintained a club-first mantra leading with actions and this is something I have always lived by,” Khoury told this masthead.
“I am very proud of what I achieved in my role as chair across all facets of the club and I have always believed in succession planning. We have a succession plan in place and we are fully committed to seeing that plan through.
Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton and chairman John Khoury in the stands.Credit: Getty
“What everyone needs to know is that this is a unanimous decision. I will very much remain a dual director of both the football and league clubs of which I am very proud of. It’s sad to see news emerging ahead of the AGM and my planned update. I remain as supportive as ever of the Bulldogs and I will make my announcement as intended on Sunday.”
Khoury has overseen a tumultuous period in the club’s history, taking over from predecessor Lynne Anderson after she and her two most trusted directors Paul Dunn and John Ballesty all resigned at an extraordinary general meeting in 2020. Khoury brought Driussi onto the board in 2022.
Driussi is an actuary and co-founded data analytics business Quantium, whose client list has included Woolworths, Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, Walmart and Qantas. In 2021, Woolworths acquired a 25 per cent stake in Quantium for $223 million.
Driussi spoke to this masthead on Friday afternoon but would not be drawn on the changes on the board. However, he said any suggestion of unrest at board level was off the mark.
Quantium CEO Adam Driussi is taking over as chairman at the Bulldogs.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
“John has done an outstanding job building a stable board where we are all close friends,” Driussi said.
“The notion that there are rival factions within the board or disharmony within the board couldn’t be further from the truth.”
There were concerns that a rival ticket would nominate to run for the board at the AGM, but the directors will be re-appointed unopposed.
Canterbury are in the midst of a rebuild under coach Cameron Ciraldo who, together with general manager Phil Gould, have begun turning over a roster that has underperformed in recent years.
The Bulldogs have welcomed three-time premiership winner Stephen Crichton from the Penrith Panthers, while also luring Connor Tracey (Sharks), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Josh Curran (Warriors), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Kurt Mann (Knights), Jake Turpin (Roosters) and Bronson Xerri (drugs ban).
The Bulldogs scored an impressive 24-12 win over the Melbourne Storm in their first trial match at Belmore on Thursday night.
Xerri, in his return from a 1615-day exile due to his drugs ban, scored a try, while fullback Taaffe made a strong claim to the No.1 jersey.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now