Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson weighs up future amid NRL investigation
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson could walk away from the club in the coming days, as he weighs up his future amid an NRL investigation over allegations surrounding his time at the club.
Brent Read and
Michael Carayannis
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson isn’t ready to publicly address his future, or for that matter the NRL inquiries surrounding his time at the embattled club.
Privately though, he is believed to be unconcerned. Richardson has told those close to him that he stands by a record that includes more than 30 years in the game, multiple premierships and a reputation as a rugby league mover and shaker.
He will spend the weekend considering his future at the Tigers but the smart money suggests he will walk away as soon as Monday, in all likelihood with a significant severance package and his head held high.
The NRL, which is locked in talks with the Tigers after majority owners the Holman Barnes Group seized back control of the board by removing four independent directors including former NSW premier Barry O’Farell, has confirmed they are making inquiries around some of the financial dealings under Richardson’s regime after a whistleblower made allegations to head office.
Richardson has privately insisted everything was above board and any conflicts of interest – he and his son Brent own a marketing and digital company that was used by the Tigers – were declared.
It is understood when he first arrived at the club, Richardson was acting as a consultant and payment was made to his company. Again, Richardson has told those close to him that there was nothing untoward.
Regardless, Richardson came back in part because the Tigers made a commitment to independent governance and they have now peeled that back. The NRL may yet seize control, but it may come too late to save Richardson – Holman Barnes are believed to have earmarked outgoing Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov to take over in the interim, while ex-St George Illawarra boss Ryan Webb has also been mentioned.
While Richardson spends the weekend mulling over his the Holman Barnes Group have removed a statement from their website outlining why they axed four directors amid the threat of legal action.
The Holman Barnes Group posted an announcement on their website on Monday which was also circulated to the media.
Holman Barnes Group chief executive Daniel Paton also produced a very polished video to explain the decision.
It has since been removed amid speculation that three of the four dumped directors considering taking legal action against the Holman Barnes Group for what they believe was a false narrative spun by the owners of the Wests Tigers.
It is understood the dumped trio Annabelle Williams, Charlie Viola and Michelle McDowell are exploring legal action following their surprise axing after just 11 months on the board.
The trio are successful business people in their own right and voluntarily did their roles on the Tigers board. O’Farrell was unlikely to be part of any legal action.
Holman Barnes Group did not respond to request for comment nor did any of the former Tigers board members.
Of particular concern for the board members were suggestions that there was a problem with “communication” between the Tigers and Holman Barnes board.
The statement continued to say they wanted to “strengthen and ensure clearer visibility and collaboration across both organisations, a notice of removal has been issued to the independent directors of the Wests Tigers board”.
Holman Barnes Chairman Dennis Burgess sat on the Tigers board while Paton was also involved in subcommittees alongside some Tigers board members.
Holman Barnes have had a year in the headlines having dumped four of their own board members at different times this year before axing four Tigers board members earlier this week.
One former Holman Barnes board member Rick Wayde enjoyed a financial out of court settlement with the group for an undisclosed amount.
