Brisbane Lions Chairman Bob Sharpless today confirmed Malcolm Holmes has decided to resign as Chief Executive Officer of the Club.

Mr Sharpless said the Club was in a period of transition and after three years of strong leadership, Mr Holmes had opted to move on.

“Malcolm has steered the Club well through some difficult times,” said Mr Sharpless.

“He has overseen a significant restructuring of the Club’s operations, all while growing revenues and fostering better relationships with key stakeholders. 

“Malcolm led the rebuild of the Club’s culture , developing a fully integrated business with a core focus on football.”

Mr Sharpless said there had been a long list of success during Mr Holmes’ time as CEO, including:

• Greatly increasing resources for the football department (NAB Cup 2013, NEAFL premierships in 2012 and 2013);
• Lions@Springwood Social Club commenced trading at the end of 2010, recording successful growth in profitably and producing significant cashflow for the Club;
• Growth of the Hyundai Lions Academy to become a real pathway for future talent;
• Increased membership and improved membership retention rates;
• Secured two new Major sponsors (Vero and National Storage) at the end of 2012 as well as a number of other new partners;
• Re-engineered membership, retail ticketing and corporate product offerings;
• Drove the development of the Club’s 2016 Vision;
• Drove the search for a location for a new Elite Training and Administration Facility for the Club;
• Improved key stakeholder engagement.

Mr Sharpless said the Board of the Brisbane Lions had employed Mr Holmes to transition the Club into an organisation with strong culture and structure – and he has achieved that.

“Malcolm was asked to a job and he has done it,” said Mr Sharpless . “The Brisbane Lions thanks him for his contribution to the Club and wish him every success in the future.”

Mr Holmes said: “I have always acted in the best interests of the Brisbane Lions and I believe moving on at this time will help the Club going forward, so that is what I have decided to do.”

Mr Holmes’ last day at the Club will be tomorrow.

Mr Sharpless said the Board would work through a process to find a replacement.

Mr Sharpless also restated the Club’s commitment to securing funding for a Elite Training and Administration Facility at Springfield.

“The state-of-the-art facility is the best option for the Club going forward and the AFL has stated its full support for the project,” said Mr Sharpless.

“It ticks all the boxes from a football, economic and commercial perspective and we will continue to make the project a reality.”