A Board election is taking place and current director Kerry Ryan is standing for re-election. In this article she discusses the work she has done and her ambitions for the future.
Kerry Ryan has the pedigree, combined with all-round business expertise, to make her an invaluable member of Richmond’s board of directors.
She is a life-long supporter of the Club, having grown up in a passionate Richmond family that had a strong connection to the man regarded as the greatest Tiger of them all – Jack Dyer.
Ryan’s father had a close relationship with the Club’s revered inaugural ‘Immortal’.
From a young age, Ryan and her three sisters were enthralled by stories their father told them about ‘Captain Blood’ and Tigerland.
Ryan became hooked on the Tigers, started going to their games, and developed a deep affection for the Club.
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It’s a love affair that has endured throughout the years for Ryan, notwithstanding how successful she’s has been in her professional career as a company director and former law firm partner, both domestically and internationally, together with nurturing her own family (two children).
When the opportunity arose to become officially involved at Richmond as a board member, three years ago, Ryan jumped at it.
She was appointed to the Club’s board in October 2013 as a replacement for long-serving president Gary March. Ryan went up for election shortly after, but was unopposed.
In the three years since, Ryan has thrown herself full bore into her role at Tigerland, is proud of her achievements, but feels she has much more to offer, which is why she is seeking another term as a director at the Club’s current board elections.
As a board member, Ryan is interested in further strengthening the Club’s culture (both on-and-off the field), increasing the Club’s revenue through Aligned Leisure, player welfare and development, governance, and membership engagement. Another area of focus is managing the myriad of risks the Club is exposed to in the modern competition.
She’s also particularly interested in the Club’s Next Generation Academy as a talent pathway, and any future involvement in the AFL Women’s League (the Club has been granted a provisional licence by the AFL).
“During my term on the Richmond board, I have served on the Risk, Compliance and Integrity Committee, Governance Committee and as Chair of the Nominations Committee. I’m also an inaugural director of Aligned Leisure,” Ryan said.
“In my opinion, success is about good people, good processes, and always striving to improve.
“I'm passionate about our mission to bring premierships home to Punt Road – and I want this for all our supporters.
“I have a deep understanding of what the role of a director on a sports board actually entails, and I believe my track record on the Richmond board, together with my skills and broad-ranging experience, stands me in good stead to contribute strongly going forward.
“I also believe a diversity of perspectives on the Richmond board is important, and that I add to that diversity.”
Kerry Ryan’s key achievements as a Richmond board member:
- Active contributor to all Board deliberations drawing on her skills and experience as a company director (including of CPA Australia and ASX listed Retail Food Group) and as a former partner in an international law firm.
- Assisted the Club to broaden its business network through introductions to her contacts. Through one such introduction, the Club secured CTI as a sponsor (to the value of $100,000).
- Proposed a non-game membership product, which the Club didn't have previously (she was particularly keen for Richmond to have a membership product that enabled women, who couldn’t attend games because of family commitments, to support the Club).
- Part of the ad hoc Strategic Committee that helped formulate the Club's current Strong and Bold Strategic Plan.
- Inaugural director of Aligned Leisure, which successfully tendered for the contract to manage eight leisure facilities in the Shire of Cardinia. Aligned Leisure has already contributed financially to the Club and its contribution will grow as new opportunities arise.
- A member of the Club’s Risk Management, Compliance and Integrity Committee, which is ranked No. 1 in the AFL competition for risk management.
- Acted as mentor to Richmond staff members in various roles, sponsored player Dylan Grimes, and supported players post their retirement.
- Developed the proposed governance recommendations on Board term changes and undertook a significant amount of work in relation to that.
- Worked on initiatives to create a more supportive and inclusive Club culture, for example, by hosting dinners for players’ and coaches’ partners.
- As chair of the Nominations Committee, oversaw the appointments of John O'Rourke and Emmett Dunne. The Committee also did a lot of work on improving and streamlining the election and casual vacancy appointment processes to ensure they are transparent and best practice.
- A strong ambassador for the Club, attending industry and coterie events, and official Club events in Melbourne and interstate.
Key Club achievements during Kerry Ryan’s time on the board
- Record membership of almost 73,000.
- Continued zero debt status.
- Consecutive finals appearances
- A stand-alone VFL side.
- The establishment of Aligned Leisure, which will diversify and expand the Club's revenue base.
- Improved Punt Road Oval facilities.
- Outstanding community involvement through the Club’s Indigenous and multicultural programs and partnership with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
- Establishment of Richmond Next Generation Academy.
- Formation of the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership (in conjunction with Swinburne University).
In the election Ryan supports her colleague and fellow Board member, Emmett Dunne, who joined the Board in September 2016, and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge drawn from his time as a former Richmond premiership player and distinguished career with the Victoria Police.
The publishing, and contents, of this article was authorised by the electoral Returning Officer.
