Show notes
In this episode of What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!), I sit down with Ian Robson, one of the most experienced and battle-tested sports administrators in Australia.At just 32 years old, with no prior CEO experience, Ian was appointed Chief Executive of the New Zealand Warriors, building the club ahead of its entry into top-tier rugby league.From there, his career spans:CEO of Hawthorn Football Club during its rebuild and 2008 premiershipCEO of Essendon Football Club during the supplements sagaCEO of Melbourne Victory during A-League successCEO of Rowing Australia, navigating Olympic sport, funding pressures and global competitionLeadership roles in UK sport, including CEO of Sport ScotlandToday, Ian is CEO of the iconic Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, long associated with the Australian Open.Across rugby league, AFL, soccer, Olympic sport and government-funded systems, Ian has seen the intersection of culture, governance, pressure and public accountability at the highest levels.What we cover in this episodeBuilding a professional sports club from scratch in New ZealandThe Hawthorn rebuild and the 2008 AFL premiershipThe Essendon supplements saga — what happened, how it unfolded, and the lessons learnedGovernance failures, salary cap breaches and the cost of cutting cornersDrugs in professional sport — performance enhancing and recreationalGambling, match fixing and player welfareRacism, tribalism and sexual diversity in elite sportThe difference between running a football club and leading a taxpayer-funded Olympic sportThis is not a highlight reel. It’s a serious conversation about leadership when the stakes are public and the consequences are generational.DisclaimerThis podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the participants at the time of recording and do not constitute legal, financial, medical or professional advice. Discussions about historical events, investigations and sporting matters are based on publicly available information. Listeners should form their own views and seek independent advice where appropriate.If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and share the podcast.You can connect with me, James H. Stewart (GAICD), via LinkedIn or at www.jameshstewart.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.