The Victorian government has called for applications for the two vacancies on the Racing Victoria (RV) board following the recent departure of deputy chair Sharon McCrohan.
McCrohan’s departure to fill a key executive role at the AFL in August left RV with two vacancies on the nine-person board, having spent the past 12 months a member short.
The Office of Racing, which sits under the Victorian government’s Department of Justice and Welfare, convenes a process to select eight of the nine directors, with the other position held by the chief executive officer, in this case Aaron Morrison.
The first part of the process began late last week, with expressions of interest open for the two vacant non-executive director positions.
“To be considered for one of two non-executive director positions, you will bring significant strategic and commercial acumen to the board, as well as experience in the role of a director with extensive stakeholder engagement skills,” it read.
McCrohan had a background in journalism and communications strategy and the need to replace those skills has been identified by Racing Minister Anthony Carbines and Lisa Saxton, a director at the Office of Racing.
“Expertise in government relations and strategic communications will be highly regarded, as well as having enthusiasm for the long-term success of Victorian thoroughbred racing," the expression of interest read.
The expression-of-interest process ends on October 19, after which the Minister will convene a selection panel, likely chaired by the Office of Racing.
It is believed that a new selection panel will be convened as opposed to the one that put forward Mark Player and Tim Rourke as directors in mid-2024.
That previous panel included influential Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA) chairman Jonathan Munz, who subsequently heavily criticised the decision to appoint Tim Eddy to chair Racing Victoria.
Under the Racing Victoria constitution, the advisory panel consists of the secretary of the Department of Justice and Welfare, a nominee of the Minister, a nominee jointly appointed by the three Victorian clubs, one put forward by Country Racing Victoria and one appointed by industry body members.
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“The role of the board is to set the strategy for the organisation, ensure sound corporate governance, monitor operational and financial performance, and provide transparency to Racing Victoria’s Members and broader industry stakeholders,” the expression of interest read.
“In order to achieve its goals, the board seeks to maintain an appropriate balance of skills and a diversity of perspectives.”
The length of the selection process means that a replacement for McRohan and a suitable candidate for the other vacant role are unlikely to be announced until well after the spring carnival.
Directors may serve a maximum of 10 years with Racing Victoria. Of the remaining six directors, the longest serving are Kate Joel and Ross Lanyon, who were appointed in 2017.
Eddy joined the board in 2022, as did Paul Guerra, who has recently been appointed chief executive of Melbourne Football Club. It is understood he intends to remain on the RV board.
After a turbulent 2024, during which Munz attempted to oust the board last February, followed by an ill-fated attempt by the Minister to court Gillon McLachlan, the subsequent Tabcorp chief executive, to chair RV, 2025 has seen an extended period of stability for the board.
It has been operating one short of capacity, with a spokesman for the racing minister confirming late last year that “the board is well-resourced and functioning effectively” with eight of nine.
A decision on who takes the role of deputy chair vacated by McRohan will be made by the Minister from among the directors.
