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Gillon McLachlan
McLachlan during the inaugural AFL Women's match in February 2017
Born1973 (age 50–51)
Adelaide, South Australia
NationalityAustralian
Education
OccupationFormer CEO of the AFL

Gillon McLachlan (born 1973[1]) is a former Australian sports administrator and now CEO of a major gambling company. He is the former chief executive officer of the Australian Football League (AFL).[2] He was appointed to the role in 2014, succeeding Andrew Demetriou, having previously served as his deputy,[3] and finished his contract at the end of the 2023 season, passing the reins to Andrew Dillon. Gillon is now the CEO of Tabcorp.

Early life

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McLachlan grew up on his family farm, "Rosebank", located in Mount Pleasant, South Australia. His parents are Angus, a former first class cricketer, and Sylvia.[1][4] He is the eldest of four brothers: Hamish, Will and Banjo.[1] His uncle, Ian McLachlan, was an Australian government Minister for Defence, and was long term president (to 2014) of the South Australian Cricket Association.

Schooling

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After completing secondary school as a boarder at St Peter's College, Adelaide,[1] McLachlan obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Adelaide in 1995 and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree at the University of Melbourne in 1996, where he was a resident at Trinity College. He later completed the Senior Executive Program at Stanford University.[1]

Sporting career

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McLachlan played Australian football in the Hills Football League colts competition for the now defunct Pleasant Valley club. After moving to Melbourne, he played with Melbourne University Blues in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA).[1] Besides playing as a ruckman for the club (1994–2003), he was captain (2000–2002), was awarded the C. W. McLeod Trophy for best-and-fairest (2000),[5] committee member and made a life member (2003).[1][6]

McLachlan was a regular VAFA representative, including as captain, and was on the Carlton Football Club supplementary list from 1996 to 1997. McLachlan has represented Victoria in polo and has been a national selector.[1]

Business career

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After leaving university, McLachlan worked as a management consultant with Accenture.[1] In 2000, he was employed as a strategy consultant to the AFL by CEO Wayne Jackson.[1] He proceeded to move up through key administrative posts at the league. In 2003, he was appointed general manager of commercial operations. In 2008, he was appointed chief operating officer.[7]

In 2012, it was reported that McLachlan rejected the CEO positions at the National Rugby League[8] and Liverpool F.C.,[9] before being appointed deputy CEO of the AFL in December 2012.[10] During this time, McLachlan played a major role in delivering stadiums for two new teams (Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney), established the AFL Media department, and negotiated the media broadcast deal of $1.25 billion.[8][11] In 2013, he supervised the AFL's investigation into the Melbourne Football Club tanking scandal and the negotiations with the Essendon Football Club as part of its illegal sports supplements scandal.[8][12]

On 30 April 2014, McLachlan was appointed AFL CEO, replacing Andrew Demetriou.[13] At the announcement of his appointment, McLachlan stated: "I've been part of the community of football and I know how important it is. I played over 200 games of amateur or country football, I've captained a club, I've been on a committee of a club, I'm a life member of a club. I've had my share of cold showers and freezing committee meetings. I've been part of appointing coaches and sacking coaches. I have a clear vision of where the game needs to go and how we're going to get there. For me that vision is about having an unassailable hold on the Australian community."[14]

In 2014, McLachlan was appointed patron of the Children's Cancer Foundation. McLachlan stated: "Australian football is built on community. We are only as strong as the community in which we reside. The Children's Cancer Foundation's values reflect the AFL's commitment to effecting positive social change." Since 2015, McLachlan has also been a member of the Million Dollar Lunch Committee.[15][16]

In April 2022, McLachlan announced that he would step down from his role as AFL CEO at the end of the 2022 AFL season,[17] but his tenure was extended until the end of the 2023 season after the selection process for his replacement took longer than expected. He was set replaced by Andrew Dillon in October 2023.[18]

Gillon is now the CEO of Tabcorp.


Personal life

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McLachlan is married to Laura Blythe, who was a fellow resident at Trinity College and is the daughter of former Spotless chairman Brian Blythe.[1] The McLachlans have four children.[1][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "What you need to know about the AFL's new boss, Gillon McLachlan". News.com. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  2. ^ "The AFL Administration". afl.com.au. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  3. ^ Brodie, Will (30 April 2014). "Gillon McLachlan announced as new AFL CEO". The Age. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  4. ^ a b Lane, Sam (30 April 2014). "The man who will be king of the AFL". The Age. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Honour Board". Uniblues F.C. website. Archived from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Earlier today". Uniblues FC website. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Top 50 Sport 2013 - Gillon McLachlan". The Australian. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  8. ^ a b c "AFL names Gillon McLachlan as new CEO". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  9. ^ Stevens, Mark (2 September 2012). "Gillon McLachlan knocks back position with EPL giant Liverpool". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  10. ^ "Gillon McLachlan earns promotion to AFL deputy CEO". News.com.au. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  11. ^ Hinds, Richard (30 August 2012). "Little known about wanted man, but CV suggests code switch wouldn't be out of his league". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Gillon McLachlan to take over as AFL chief executive from Andrew Demetriou in June". 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  13. ^ Vaughan, Roger (30 April 2014). "New AFL boss moves to calm fans". Ninemsn. Archived from the original on 1 May 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  14. ^ "Gillon McLachlan named AFL CEO". The Roar, 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  15. ^ "Our Patron". Children's Cancer Foundation website.
  16. ^ "Million Dollar Lunch hits the mark". The Age, 17 October 2014. 17 October 2014.
  17. ^ "Gillon McLachlan announces he is stepping down as AFL chief executive at end of 2022 season". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  18. ^ Riley Beveridge (1 May 2023). "'Truly humbled': Andrew Dillon appointed new AFL CEO". Australian Football League. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
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