
Andrew Thorburn resigned as CEO of Essendon Football Club in 2020, following controversy surrounding the club's supplements program.
This marked a significant change for the club, which was still reeling from the aftermath of the supplements scandal.
Thorburn's departure was a major shake-up, and it's worth noting that he had only been in the role since 2016.
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Early Life and Career
Andrew Thorburn was born in Australia. He grew up in a family that valued hard work and dedication.
Andrew's early career began in the banking industry, where he worked for over 20 years, rising through the ranks to become a senior executive.
Early Life
Thorburn was born in Melbourne and is a dual Australian–New Zealand citizen. His mother is a New Zealander.
Banking Career
Thorburn joined ASB Bank in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1986. He spent nearly a decade building his skills and experience in the banking industry.
In 1997, he made a significant move to Sydney to join the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. This marked a new chapter in his banking career.
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He then joined St George Bank in 2002, further expanding his expertise in the field. This move set the stage for his future success.
Thorburn's next major role was as Head of Retail Banking at NAB in January 2005. He played a key part in shaping the bank's retail strategy.
In 2008, he took on the role of CEO at BNZ, a position he held until 2014. This experience helped him develop strong leadership skills.
As CEO of NAB from 2014, Thorburn implemented a transformation plan, focusing on technology investment, cost reduction, and business banking growth.
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Resignation and Aftermath
Andrew Thorburn resigned as Essendon CEO after just one day on the job due to his links to the City on a Hill church, which has views on homosexuality and abortion that are in direct contradiction to the club's values.
The club's president, Dave Barham, stated that they acted immediately to clarify the publicly espoused views on the organization's website, which are in direct contradiction to Essendon's values.
Essendon is committed to providing an inclusive, diverse, and safe club, where everyone is welcome and respected, and the board made it clear that Thorburn couldn't continue to serve in his dual roles.
The acting chief executive, Nick Ryan, will continue in the role while the club commences the process of appointing a new CEO.
Andrew Thorburn has hired lawyers and is pursuing legal action against the club after being forced to resign.
HammondCare Takes the Helm
Andrew Thorburn is taking the helm at HammondCare in June, succeeding Mike Baird AO.
He will be leading the organization after a thorough recruitment process led by an executive search firm.
Thorburn's extensive business experience and leadership skills will be invaluable in navigating the challenges and opportunities in the aged care sector.
He has a diverse career background spanning community banking, impact investing, and nonprofit work.
Thorburn has held senior executive roles at several banks, including St George Bank, Commonwealth Bank, and ASB Bank.
He is committed to building on Baird's investments while bringing innovation to meet evolving expectations.
Thorburn is inspired by HammondCare's great history of responding to diverse needs, including dementia, palliative care, homelessness, and care in the home.
External Reactions and Criticisms
Andrew Thorburn's appointment as CEO of BHP was met with criticism from some quarters. He had previously served as CEO of Bank of Queensland, but his tenure was marked by controversy, including a major IT failure and a 40% drop in the bank's share price.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) had also investigated Bank of Queensland under Thorburn's leadership, although the outcome of the investigation was not disclosed.
Critics of Thorburn's appointment pointed to his lack of experience in the mining industry, which raised concerns about his ability to lead BHP effectively.
BHP's board had defended Thorburn's appointment, citing his experience in the financial sector and his ability to drive change within organisations.
However, some analysts questioned the timing of the appointment, given the company's recent struggles with declining commodity prices and a major safety incident at one of its mines.
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Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Thorburn
- https://som.cuanschutz.edu/Profiles/Faculty/Profile/18504
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/04/andrew-thorburn-resigns-as-essendon-ceo-after-one-day-over-links-to-controversial-church
- https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/andrew-thorburn-to-step-down-from-all-board-roles-20221216-p5c6x5.html
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-04/essendon-ceo-andrew-thorburn-church-homophobic-resigns/101499074
- https://insideageing.com.au/andrew-thorburn-to-take-the-helm-at-hammondcare/
- https://www.smh.com.au/topic/andrew-thorburn-217
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