The Carlton Football Club is pleased to announce the appointments of experienced corporate finance expert Michael Burn, as well as highly regarded Victorian barrister Christopher Townshend KC to its Board of Directors.
In joining the Board of the Carlton Football Club, Burn brings with him over 30 years of experience in investment banking and corporate finance, having advised leading Australian companies across a range of sectors, including telecommunications, media, entertainment, and technology.
His previous roles, including 13 years as a Director – with over five of these as Chair – of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), further underscores his strong governance credentials.
A Bluebagger since birth, Burn attended his first game in 1971 and has continued as a proud member of the Carlton Football Club throughout his adult life.
Townshend’s involvement with the Club is more current, having served as a Director in an important phase of the IKON Park redevelopment, which cemented IKON Park as the home of Women’s football and the long-term base of the Carlton Football Club. He has since held the role as Chair of the Club’s Risk, Integrity and Compliance Committee.
With 30 years of expertise as a barrister at The Victorian Bar, Townshend specialises in Planning and Environment Law with a focus on major infrastructure and development projects. This skill set was critical in the upgrade of IKON Park match-day facilities, high-performance athlete amenities – headlined by the Club’s indoor training field – and broadcast standard lights.
His expertise extends to sports law practice, appearing for athletes participating across multiple codes, as well as sitting across AFL industry advisory groups.
Club President Rob Priestley wrote to members this afternoon to inform them of the Club’s Board updates.
“Maintaining a skills-based Board was a key factor in the assessment, recommendation and endorsement of both Michael and Chris’ nominations,” Priestley wrote.
“With 30 years’ experience in each of their respective areas of finance, commercial, and legal acumen, we are thrilled to be able to fill these skills-based needs on our Board with such great Carlton people.
“There was particular attention to filling the finance and commercial portfolio responsibilities that I previously held and was required to step away from upon appointment as President, while expert legal advisory, notably in the areas Chris has practiced, is an existing need that requires specialised expertise across our diverse Board.
“We are thrilled that both Michael and Chris have agreed to join the Board and we look forward to seeing them play their part, alongside our entire Carlton community, as we strive to establish our Club as an industry leader on a stable and consistent basis.”
In addition to the two Board appointments, the Club also announces that Director Tim Lincoln will be stepping away from the Board and devoting more time and attention to his other professional commitments.
"This has been a difficult decision; I love the Club and it’s been an absolute privilege to serve as a Director over the last four years.” Said Lincoln.
“Being a Director of this football club comes with sacrifice and significant personal investment to serve our members, and the time is right to hand the baton over to another proud Carlton person to fulfill the duties to the best of their ability.”
Priestley also wrote to members expressing the Club’s gratitude for Lincoln’s time on the Board.
“We sincerely thank Tim, who served with great care, passion, and a love for the Navy Blue since joining the Board in 2021,” Priestley wrote
“His meaningful contributions have supported our Club’s progress in recent years, and we are deeply appreciative for all his hard work and wish him well”
Priestley went on to outline the importance of the Club’s proactive succession planning efforts, that has put the Club in a responsible position to fill the casual vacancies on the Board created by Lincoln and Sayers’ respective departures.
“A considered lens to succession planning for key roles, is vitally important for maintaining a stable environment,” Preistley wrote.
“This is in line with effective and responsible governance practices and is being carried out at all levels of our club, which is no different in our approach to ensuring we have a pipeline of appropriate future Board candidates.
“Such efforts have allowed us to fill these most recent casual vacancies in a manner that enables our people to be at their best and continue the Club’s forward momentum towards achieving our vision.
“Rest assured, our club is committed to building a high-performance culture, dedicated to excellence and where we are relentless in looking for ways to improve, no matter how small.”
