Hawthorn Football Club CEO Stuart Fox has been appointed as the MCC’s new chief executive officer, replacing the retiring Stephen Gough.

Stuart will commence in the role in mid-March, with a short handover from his predecessor before the AFL season moves into full swing.

The MCC CEO position is one that is not only highly coveted but has become increasingly complex.

Stuart will be responsible for the operation of one of the world’s most unique sporting clubs, including its 110,000 members, and management of the MCG, but he will also oversee the MCC’s management of the National Sports Museum, Yarra Park and several other sporting facilities in Melbourne.

Stuart brings more than 20 years’ experience in sports administration, with the last 16 years spent at two of the most successful AFL clubs of the modern era – Hawthorn and Geelong Cats.

The 46-year-old joined Hawthorn as CEO in 2009, following nearly a decade at Geelong, where he worked under Brian Cook as chief operating officer, as well as general manager of stadium operations at the Cats’ venue in Kardinia Park. Prior to that, he worked in sport and recreation in local government in Geelong.

The Cats won two AFL premierships (2007 and 2009) in his final three years at the club. At Hawthorn he has overseen a hat-trick of premierships (2013, 2014 and 2015), along with record membership numbers, a successful push into Tasmania and multimillion dollar operating profits in each year of his reign.

In announcing the appointment prior to Christmas, MCC president Steven Smith said Stuart was an outstanding choice in a very competitive field.

“Stuart Fox is an experienced leader who has an enviable track record of success,” said MCC president Steven Smith. “He brings with him a deep understanding of the AFL, one of our key stakeholders, and experience operating a stadium.

“We look forward to Stuart tackling the opportunities and challenges that confront our club and the MCG over the coming years.”

Our new leader says he is looking forward to the challenge.

“I am excited about joining the MCC, which to me is one of the most prestigious sporting clubs in Australia,” he said. “To be given the opportunity to steer the club and the MCG through the next phase of its history is one I am very much looking forward to.”

Stuart will become just the seventh MCC secretary/CEO in the past 138 years and, if that history is any guide, he is set for a lengthy and productive stint at the crease.