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Frank Lowy’s son Steven is set to succeed him as chairman of Football Federation Australia after he was confirmed as one of four candidates to be elected unopposed onto the governing body’s board.
Lowy Jr, the co-chief executive officer of Westfield, is now poised to become the most powerful person in the game when he is ushered onto the board at the FFA’s annual general meeting in November, along with former Socceroo and lawyer Daniel Moulis, investment banker Crispin Murray and Commonwealth Bank executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.
Their names were put forward following a selection process overseen by deputy FFA chairman Brian Schwartz – one of Lowy Sr’s closest allies – and conducted by international headhunting firm Egon Zehnder.
Schwartz, Lowy Sr and Phil Wolanski’s terms expire next month while Peter Tredinnick, who recently resigned from the board, will also be replaced at the AGM.
But the FFA and Lowy Sr have come under fire for the process, which Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin this week blasted as “fatally flawed”.
All four candidates have previous ties to Lowy or his business interests, with claims those in power have hijacked what should have been an open, democratic election.
The A-League clubs had attempted to submit several names for election, including former Sydney Olympics boss Mal Hemmerling and ex-Soccer Australia head Remo Nogarotto, but they were unable to secure a seconding vote from the nomination from at least two of the state federations.
Griffin had flagged that outcome earlier in the week.
“It is very disappointing to not get any seconders when you consider the majority of A-League clubs have seen fit to put forward a candidate,” he told The Australian.
“It is a disturbing result when one considers the input that the A-League clubs have had in terms of their contribution to the health and welfare of the game in this country.
“There is a good reason why the majority of A-League clubs refused to participate in (the Egon Zehnder) process. They select who they want to put forward. Then it goes to the existing board to decide who they want to recommend.
“Why would anyone put themselves through that process?”
Schwartz said the candidates were chosen based on the experience and qualifications of each individual.
“The Committee’s charter was to identify candidates that would result in a board with a blend of corporate experience in strategy, governance, finance, marketing and new technology combined with football experience and international business at the highest levels,” he said.
OUTGOING
* Frank Lowy
* Brian Schwartz
* Phil Wolanski
* Peter Tredinnick
INCOMING
* Steven Lowy
* Daniel Moulis
* Crispin Murray
* Kelly Bayer Rosmarin
CONTINUING
* Cheryl Bart
* Moya Dodd
* Joseph Healy
* Simon Hepworth
* Chris Nikou
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