The Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce that Ted Richards will be appointed to the Club's Board of Directors.
A proud Bombers supporter who grew up barracking for the red and black, Richards will bring a decorated AFL career and strong business acumen to the Club.
An Essendon draftee (pick 27, 2000 AFL Draft) who played 33 games in the red and black, Richards went on to become a cornerstone of one of the AFL's most successful teams after moving to the Sydney Swans.
In 228 games with the Swans, Richards established himself as an elite defender, earning All-Australian honours in 2012, finishing runner-up in the Club’s best and fairest, and playing a pivotal role in the 2012 AFL Premiership. His career was further recognised with his induction into the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame in 2020.
Richards was influential in fostering and maintaining the renowned Swans culture, serving as a respected leader during a successful period that saw the club reach the finals in 10 of 11 seasons and compete in four Grand Finals.
Since retiring from football, Richards has built an impressive business career. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Applied Finance and has held roles at Citigroup, Airlie Funds Management, and Australian Fintech company Six Park. He is currently the Head of Melbourne at Wilsons Advisory (recently acquired by Canaccord), a financial advisory and wealth management firm.
Essendon President Andrew Welsh welcomed Richards to the Essendon Board.
"The appointment of Ted Richards to our Board will be an outstanding addition for the club. We're gaining someone who not only grew up loving the red and black and wore our guernsey with pride, but who went on to achieve the ultimate success in our game," Welsh said.
“Ted was a key figure in one of the AFL's most admired cultures at Sydney. He understands what it takes to build and sustain excellence, both as a player and as a leader. His experience in premiership success and his role in shaping a winning environment will be a powerful addition to our Board.
Ted will work closely with me on the Football Governance Committee to support our program in driving performance excellence, team development, and cultural growth. To have someone of his calibre, experience, and passion for Essendon joining our Board is a significant win for the club,” Welsh said.
Richards said his bond to Essendon is strong and he is energised by the journey ahead.
"While I love what I'm doing at Canaccord, I still have a deep passion for football, so it's great to get back involved. I've been really impressed in my discussions with Andrew Welsh and other board members about the path the Club is on. I genuinely believe my experience can help get Essendon back to the top, and that challenge excites me enormously," Richards said.
"Essendon means a lot to me. I grew up a passionate Bomber supporter with so many fond memories like attending every finals game in 1993 and watching the premiership with my Dad and older brother. Our family even drove up to Sydney in 1996 to watch the preliminary final, and I was absolutely shattered when Tony Lockett kicked that point after the siren.
"The friendships I formed during my time at Essendon are lifelong. When I got married in 2014, my four groomsmen were all former Essendon teammates which speaks to the bond and what the club means to me."
Richards will be appointed to the board to fill the casual vacancy created by the resignation of Dean Solomon as a Director of the Club.
