The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Sarantinos as the Club’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Jim has worked with the Club since 2016 when he was appointed to the Parramatta Eels Board as one of two PLC nominees on an interim basis while PLC underwent its governance reform process. He stepped down as a Board member in June this year to become the Club’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), and was the acting CEO when former CEO Bernie Gurr stepped down last month.
The Parramatta Eels Board commenced an extensive search for a CEO in September, which included a rigorous multi-staged process. There were a number of high calibre candidates who applied however following the final interview phase, the Board came to the conclusion that Jim represented the best candidate to lead the Club into the future.
Parramatta Eels Club Chairman Sean McElduff paid tribute to Jim’s significant contribution to the Club as an Eels Director and in his role as the COO.
“Jim has played a crucial role in stabilising the Parramatta Eels since 2016. His extensive experience, skills and capabilities are an asset to any organisation, and we are very confident he will play a major role in ensuring the Club delivers on its strategic objectives.
Workplace culture and values are very important to us as an organisation and Jim will be a significant driver of creating an environment at the Club that ensures our people reach their potential.
On behalf of the board, staff, players, members and supporters, we congratulate Jim on his appointment and wish him all the best in his new role.”
Jim said he would draw on both his business and Board member experience and place a priority on facilitating a values driven, high performance organisation.
“I’m extremely humbled to be appointed the CEO of a Club with such a rich history and a very exciting future.
The foundations have been laid over the last couple of years and I intend to build on that over the next period of our history. We play in a world class venue at Bankwest Stadium and the facilities at Kellyville Park will be outstanding.
Now that we are a stable Club, our priority is to deliver sustained success both on and off the field.
I’m looking forward to working with the Parramatta Leagues Club, the Eels Board, our staff, players, members, corporate and community partners and fans to help create an enduring sporting legacy.”
Among his accomplishments since 2016, Jim was instrumental in leading the negotiations for the Eels agreement with Bankwest Stadium, driving the Eels strategic plan and has played a major role in securing government support for our high performance centre at Kellyville.
Replies
You guessed it Mutt
Allen he guessed it because most people people knew Bernie Gurr's contract was up in 2019 and it didn't take genius to work out Jim was going to be the CEO when he stepped down from the board .
Who selected Jim on the eels board?
Who selected Jim as COO ?
Who selected Jim as CEO ?
I am a genius
Well you did send me a message last year Mutts saying that Bernie Gurr would not have his contract renewed after 2019 and that Jim Sarantonis would be the CEO so yes you are a genius . Still w bullshit decision .
Wtf is that Brett. Please do better. Or make an excuse either way
Um, what ???
Mutts was on the money as he his often.
It's hard to know whether Jim will be a leadership force for great visionary improvements and a premiership, or a slow and steady calm. I suspect the later, but don't know for sure. Unlikely, he'll be a disaster, though. Time will tell.
I wouldn't discount Frankie's argument as not being true. Pseudo-nepotism, bias and politics aren't exactly uncommon in sport or business.
After all, one thing you always look for is experience related to the role, and how did Max his long-time collegue from their Ferrier Hodgson (FH) days, decide Jim was the best person for CEO: the head?
He's got decades of financial experience as a high-end employee, under the safe corporate umbrella of FH in insolvency, forensic accounting and advise. ✔️
One thing, I really think many of us have glossed over in the stable and commendable administration under Bernie, the Ferrier Hodgson brotherhood of Max & Jim, McElduff and co., that has overseen a lot of good things is: the financial bottom line of our footy club finances during 2016-2018.
Yes, there's been some improvement in sponship and retail sales (600K), yet 95% of the improvement in its bottom line ($12m loss to $4m loss, 2016-18) was caused by an increase in NRL distribution and grants ($5.8 increase) and avoiding 2016-like fines & legal fees (almost $ 1.7m).
If I were a financial expert Iike these guys, I'd be thinking 'crap, we're not doing as great on our own as I'd like.' Let's get more aggressive.
We'll probably see some improvement in 2019 though, I'm guessing (hopefully) with Bankwest being an obvious factor. It may be a longer climb to be in the black than what we think, especially if on the 4th year under financial experts we've still got a long way to go.
Time will tell how far we'll really go in this next phase.
Good info and well broken down hoe, lets hope he's a winner and knows how to run a club.
Thanks mate, yeah exactly. It's hard to know how big a winner he'll be for us. It's new for him. Frankie's right imo: Max's long relationship would have been a factor.
Yep, Poppa. Well said.
Though it's a job for the boys, it's probably a Ferrier-Hodgson-styled, risk-managed, succession plan. A continuity.
Eventually, though ,if we want to build a dominating culture, we'll need visionary leader(s) as well building the right internal & external structures on all levels. Beyond safety. Imo.
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