Ian Robson

‘Believe in your dreams and success is then a set inevitability’, according to Ian Robson, Chief Executive of Essendon Football club. Ian’s extensive career has included a number of chief executive roles at Hawthorn Football Club, the SuperLeague in England as well as the Auckland Warriors.

He shares with us his view on success and what we can do to achieve it.

I understand that the procurement leaders at Telstra were treated to a special presentation about 'awakening the giant within', are you able to share with us the key messages from your presentation?

Having everyone in your team committed to candid internal communications is the bedrock which drives quality relationships between like-minded professionals.
 

What do you believe are the fundamental elements within an organisation's culture which help build a successful organisation?  And how do you drive change within an organisation’s culture? 

An enduring successful culture cannot be driven from either the top down or the bottom up....it must be an all as one commitment to the way we behave towards each other internally and interact with our customers. Part of the essence of “driving change” is to have an underlying culture that, at its core, embraces a never ending restlessness to seeking improvements and new efficiencies. It is also essential to empower everyone in the company with the capacity and platform to propose ideas and innovations.

Do you have any tips for emerging talent, whether it is in the football arena or in the corporate world, about the key to developing a successful career?

I am excited by being surrounded by bright young talent who are full of ideas and passionate about what they do. My only advice is to have the courage to believe your dreams and the will to work hard to make them a reality. Success is then an inevitability.

I know that you are very passionate about the Bill Hutchison Foundation and that the Essendon football club is a major partner of the foundation- how do you see your role as the CEO tie in with corporate social responsibility? 

Deep within the DNA of the Essendon FC is a commitment to community. Over the years we have become better resourced and are able to do more to match this ambition.  Our commitment to important event games such as Anzac Day, Dreamtime and Clash for Cancer are just three examples of what the football club is able to so with to bring prominence to work that is carried out year round with the media spotlight on week by week AFL competition. The Bill Hutchison foundation is a critical part of the Essendon FC’s community platform with its work focusing on challenged youth and helping them to find the right pathway for a happy and healthy life.

In the corporate sector, gender diversity on boards has been a hot topic. How do you think this has impacted the AFL?

The AFL and the AFL Clubs have worked very hard over many years in positioning our game as fan and family friendly. Therefore, it should be no surprise to see support for our great game virtually split 50/50 on gender lines. The same principle underpins embracing of gender diversity not just at the Commission or Board level but at many critical levels within the industry at both the professional and volunteer level. The challenge for corporate Australia is to match actions to intent in this critical area of governance.