Carlton has appointed Robert Priestley as their 32nd club president, following the lewd picture debacle that unravelled last month involving the previous president, Luke Sayers.
Sayers was involved in a scandal after a lewd pic was posted on his X account and tagged an executive at a corporate sponsor. He quickly deleted the post and claimed he had been hacked soon thereafter.
The AFL Integrity Unit agreed with Sayers following their investigation, believing his X account had been compromised and that it was not the former president who made the obscene picture public.
Nevertheless, Sayers decided to step down from the role because of the disrepute he had brought upon the club, allowing the Blues to continue without the cloud of his scandal lingering overhead.
Priestley was appointed as president on Friday, elevating his role at Carlton after three years as the co-vice president.
The fresh president boasts over four decades of work in the financial services industry and is the current Chairman of J.P. Morgan Australia and New Zealand.
Priestley voiced his appreciation for being elected president, with hopes to bring a stable and successful culture to Carlton.
"It is with a great deal gratitude and pride that I speak to you for the first time as president of our great football club," Priestley said.
"From a very young age, watching the reserves and seniors with my grandfather, father, and brothers on the city-side wing of our home at IKON Park, Carlton has always given me a strong sense of belonging.
"It is a privilege to receive this opportunity and not for a second will I take it for granted.
"I can see the united culture our Club is building, which is critical to our overarching goal of consistently contending and ultimately winning AFL and AFLW premierships.
"I very much look forward to playing my part, working collectively with our entire Carlton community as we strive to establish our Club as an industry leader on a stable and consistent basis."
Patty Kinnersly, who was co-vice president with Priestley, will maintain his role as the sole vice president at the Blues, while Helen Kurincic, Lahra Carey, David Campbell, Tim Lincoln and Greg Williams will each continue their positions as directors on the Carlton board.
