Collingwood president Mark Korda has announced that he will step down from the role at the end of the 2022 season.
In an open letter to the Magpies' many members, the previously embattled first-year leader declared that he would leave his post at the Holden Centre next year after claiming that his purpose in the position will have been served by that stage.
President Mark Korda will step down at the end of the 2022 season.
A message to our members with some significant updates👇
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 2, 2021
"My role as president has been to see Collingwood settle, transition and reposition itself on and off the field in the wake of the departure in February of long time president Eddie McGuire," Korda began
"With a relatively new board in place at the time, it was important to provide continuity between one age and the next."
Having assumed office in April of this year, the successful businessman stated that his aim was to steer the 15-time premiers through the uncertainty of the current Covid climate and to enact the findings of the 'Do Better' report within the club.
Although Korda had previously been under pressure from a rival bid by Jeff Browne, his decision to depart is likely to dampen the spot fires that have been flaring for much of 2021.
The Swinburne graduate went on to explain his choice in depth, as well as what lay ahead for the financial powerhouse.
"By declaring my intention now, our talented and passionate board will have time to develop a succession plan and work to ensure Collingwood remains stable, respected, financially sound and focused on our members, our staff and our teams across men’s and women’s football, netball, and wheelchair football," he continued.
"By the end of next season the energy of a diverse and progressive board will be ready to take further a transformation that is already underway.
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"Our intention to introduce a long overdue reform of our conditions of board tenure will also be in place after consultation with members. In keeping with best governance practice, we intend to set a limit on the tenure of a director to three terms, or 9 years, and limit the maximum tenure for a president to two terms, or six years.
"This modernisation of our constitution will introduce a practice in place across business and numerous AFL clubs. It will keep the board fresh and continually replenished by new ideas and energy."
Korda also reiterated that the club's AGM had been brought forward to December 16, and explained that four board members - Peter Murphy, Christine Holgate, Bridie O’Donnell and Neil Wilson - would be up for election at the event.
The 13th president of the Collingwood Football Club signed off by openly hoping that members would support his stance in ratifying the above quartet.
At the time of writing, Browne is yet to have made any statement about his intentions to continue challenging for the position.
