Officeworks Managing Director Mark Ward will join the Richmond Board, filling a casual vacancy created by the retirement of long-serving director Maurice O’Shannassy.

O’Shannassy has served as Club vice-president since December 2004 and more recently has chaired the Club’s Risk, Compliance and Integrity Committee. Maurice was awarded life membership in 2014. 

Club president Peggy O’Neal paid tribute to O’Shannassy’s contribution.

“We sincerely thank Maurice for all he has done for the Club over a long period of time,” O’Neal said.

“He has spent more than a decade on the Club board, assisting us to navigate through some difficult times, and it was wonderful to see him, like so many others, share the spoils of our 2017 success.

“We wish Maurice and his family all the best and no doubt will see him at the football proudly supporting the yellow and black.”

The Board accepted the recommendation of the nominations committee that Mark Ward fill the casual vacancy. Ward has spent the past 10 years as Managing Director of Officeworks, following four years as General Manager of Australian Operations at Bunnings Warehouse.

“We are pleased to announce that Mark Ward will fill the casual vacancy. He will officially commence 1 February,” O’Neal said.

“His experience in establishing Bunnings Warehouse, restructuring an established business (Officeworks) and working as part of the Westfarmers group, means we are bringing in a highly-experienced and skilled person who will make a significant contribution to this Club,” O’Neal said.

“Succession planning is something we are committed to as a Board and we continue to add new people with the right skills to ensure we thrive as a Club both on and off the field.”