Geelong Football Club list manager Simon Lloyd will take on the General Manager – Commercial Projects role effectively immediately.
The club said the new position creates an opportunity for Lloyd to “leverage his expertise and strength from football and transfer those skills and experience to commercial elements of our club, in particular diversification”.
Lloyd’s initial key focusses will be on profitable opportunities around allied health strategies, as well as the management of talent pathways in the Geelong region.
“I’ve loved every minute of my time at Geelong and leading the football programs. It has been professionally rewarding within football to date and I’m proud of my contribution,” Lloyd said.
“Geelong has afforded me many opportunities and I’m grateful for that same dedication now. I am thrilled to take on this new role and challenge, to grow broader capabilities within the commercial space.”
“Simon’s passion and dedication for our football programs is felt immensely across the business,” chief executive Steve Hocking said.
“His guidance and calm stewardship of our playing department through a premiership, off the back of a difficult COVID period is an example of his aptitude to steer through the stormy seas and keep us all connected in the calm, and also the chaos.
“We thank Simon for all he has brought to this club so far and are elated to see him embrace a new dawn with Geelong, whilst continuing as a key member of the executive team. We are excited by what Simon’s football mind and skillset can bring to the club’s continued growth mindset.”
Andrew Mackie will step into the position as General Manager – Football and will be elevated to the club’s Executive team.
“I’m excited for this new opportunity to expand beyond list management and more broadly help to shape the football department’s ongoing growth and success,” Mackie said.
“There are already strong foundations that have been set on and off the field, and I’m looking forward to working closely with staff and players across men’s and women’s as we collectively drive our programs forward.”
Brett Johnson will work closely with Mackie in a newly created role of Assistant General Manager – Football. Johnson has been at the Cats since 2018 and has overseen the AFLW program since September 2020.
“The growth of our AFLW program in particular has been a real passion of mine, and I’m eager to now extend that same passion to more players and people,” Johnson said.
“I’m excited and looking forward to working closely with Andrew in this newly created role.”