Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Ray Gunston to the position of interim Chief Executive Officer.

Gunston, who replaces Ian Robson, was previously Chief Financial Officer of Tatts Group Limited and will commence the interim role effective immediately.

Essendon chairman David Evans said the Board ratified the appointment last night.

“On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to announce Ray Gunston has agreed to accept the role of CEO until at least the end of the season,” Evans said

“Ray is great fit for the club, he is extremely capable and very well qualified with his extensive experience in corporate Australia.”

“He will bring great leadership and expertise to the role at an important time for the Essendon Football Club.”

The club will now begin the recruitment process for its next Chief Executive Officer.

Gunston has had a professional career of great diversity, depth and leadership, innovation/initiative, and management capability, supplemented by a broad range of personal and semi-professional experiences across sport and broader interests.

He is a former Essendon Board member, former Director of AFL Victoria and Director of Sigma Pharmaceuticals.