General Information
- Name
- Ian Robson
- Place of Birth
- Hobart, Australia
- Club Roles
- CEO
- Years Active
- 1994-1997
- Nationality
- Australia
- Signed From
- Sydney Swans
Raised and educated in Hobart and Melbourne, Ian qualified as a chartered accountant and has used his strong financial background to underpin his progression into the world of sports administration, After time spent in the Accounting profession post the completion of his Economics Degree at Monash University in Melbourne his sports administration career began in 1989 with three years as Financial Controller and Football Manager of the Sydney Swans.
He then spent four years as the inaugural Chief Executive of the Auckland Warriors during which time he let its induction as New Zealand’s first professional club to play in the Australian Rugby League competition (now the NRL).
He progressed to General Manager Marketing of Super League based in Sydney in 1997 before shifting to the United Kingdom in 1998 to be Marketing Director of Super League (Europe). He was appointed to the role of Chief Executive in 1999.
His next move was to take up the Chief Executive role with SportScotland in Edinburgh where he remained until July 2004. At Sport Scotland he was responsible for the development of Scotland’s national strategy of sport; campaigning for greater government funding of sport; overseeing a major expansion of the Active Schools program to increase physical activity levels in children; and working with the Scottish Executive and local authorities to develop and implement a national and regional sports facilities strategy.
From 2004-2009 Ian was Chief Executive of the Hawthorn Football club. Under his reign the Club moved from its heartland base at Glenferrie Oval to Waverley Park, cemented its relationship with the State of Tasmania by playing four home games per season at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium, passed 50,000 members and won the 2008 Premiership. ]
Ian was appointed the Chief Executive of the Essendon Football Club in September 2009. During his time as CEO membership and other key revenue drivers were taken to record high levels and the club moved from its home at Windy Hill to a new state of the art facility at Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine.
In August 2013 Ian was appointed Chief Executive of Melbourne Victory FC secured the first ever domestic trophy treble in 2014/15 winning the A League’s Premiers Plate Championship Trophy and the FFA Cup. He is married to wife Juliette with two children, Matilda and Oscar.
championsofchangecoalition.org
He then spent four years as the inaugural Chief Executive of the Auckland Warriors during which time he let its induction as New Zealand’s first professional club to play in the Australian Rugby League competition (now the NRL).
He progressed to General Manager Marketing of Super League based in Sydney in 1997 before shifting to the United Kingdom in 1998 to be Marketing Director of Super League (Europe). He was appointed to the role of Chief Executive in 1999.
His next move was to take up the Chief Executive role with SportScotland in Edinburgh where he remained until July 2004. At Sport Scotland he was responsible for the development of Scotland’s national strategy of sport; campaigning for greater government funding of sport; overseeing a major expansion of the Active Schools program to increase physical activity levels in children; and working with the Scottish Executive and local authorities to develop and implement a national and regional sports facilities strategy.
From 2004-2009 Ian was Chief Executive of the Hawthorn Football club. Under his reign the Club moved from its heartland base at Glenferrie Oval to Waverley Park, cemented its relationship with the State of Tasmania by playing four home games per season at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium, passed 50,000 members and won the 2008 Premiership. ]
Ian was appointed the Chief Executive of the Essendon Football Club in September 2009. During his time as CEO membership and other key revenue drivers were taken to record high levels and the club moved from its home at Windy Hill to a new state of the art facility at Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine.
In August 2013 Ian was appointed Chief Executive of Melbourne Victory FC secured the first ever domestic trophy treble in 2014/15 winning the A League’s Premiers Plate Championship Trophy and the FFA Cup. He is married to wife Juliette with two children, Matilda and Oscar.
Ian Robson - Champions Of Change Coalition
Ian Robson joined the Champions of Change Sport Group in 2018. Raised and educated in Hobart and Melbourne, Ian qualified as a chartered accountant and has used his strong financial background to underpin his progression into the world of sports administration, After time spent
championsofchangecoalition.org
