The Western Bulldogs confirm that David Stevenson has resigned from his position as CEO. The Board has accepted Stevenson's resignation.
 
Over the past year, the club has achieved significant growth in its operations including, but not limited to:
·         Nearing 40,000 members this year, surpassing the record membership set in 2015,
·         Setting new club benchmarks in revenue, sponsorship, membership, attendances and reserved seat sales.
 
The Club thanks Stevenson for his contribution towards the Club’s growth throughout his time as CEO, and in particular the extensive strategic planning process he has led, as well as championing the recent successful women’s licence submission.
 
Club President Peter Gordon said, “David comes from a credentialed multi-national corporate background and we have learned a lot from him in the past 12 months which will be of enduring value.  He has achieved a lot and we thank him for his work.”
 
“We are ambitious as a Club, and have over the past four years made significant progress.  We are determined to maximise the opportunities which this period in our history provides us.”
Stevenson stated, "I am proud of the accomplishments of the club under my leadership over the last year, I thank the tremendous support I have received from our fans and staff and I wish the club future success".
 
The Board has appointed Club finance director Gary Kent to the role of CEO.
 
Kent has been a Board member and Chair of the Board’s finance, audit and risk management committee for the past five years.
 
A lifetime Bulldogs supporter, Kent has held many senior management positions in public companies, including as CFO of Skilled Group, Healthscope and Coles Group.
 
Kent stated, “I am delighted to accept this role.  I love the Club.  I’ve lived most of my life in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne and have supported the Bulldogs all my life.”
 
“I’m confident the transition from Dave’s administration to mine will be seamless and I am thrilled to have received the support and good wishes across the business.”

The Board will also take the opportunity to regularise recent football directorship changes to the Board.  Newly appointed executive director of football Chris Grant will step down from his board role and focus on his full-time management role, and Matt Croft, who has sat on Board meetings as an observer for the past 18 months, will be formally co-opted onto the Board as football (non-executive) director.
 
Mark Evans will take over from Gary Kent as finance director and Chair of the finance, audit and risk management committee.