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Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo steps down
SEN •  December 17th, 2025 11:47 am
More change at Essendon with CEO Craig Vozzo stepping down from his role at the club.
A statement from the Bombers confirmed Vozzo wanted to leave his role in order to spend more time with his family in South Australia.
"It's been a great honour and privilege to serve the Club as CEO, an opportunity that I'm incredibly grateful for,” Vozzo said.
"I've been living away from my home and my wider family and friends back in South Australia for 15-plus years now.
"My initial three-year contract was coming to an end, which gave me the opportunity to reflect on my future.
"Following the conclusion of our AFLW season and men's draft, I returned to South Australia for a few weeks to be around family and my closest friends, to have some quiet time to deeply reflect.
"In that time, it really reinforced to me that it is the right time in my life to take a step back from the CEO role and further prioritise my family ahead of my career.
"This has been one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make, because I love this football club and everything it stands for to so many.
"I have great confidence in the current direction of our Club and our leaders, Welshy, the Board, our Executive Team, Brad Scott and Natalie Wood. The foundations are strong, and I'm excited about what the future holds for Essendon.
"But it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life back home in South Australia.
"I want to thank our incredibly loyal members, our Board and staff, our players, and everyone in the Essendon family for their support over the past three years. This club has given me so much, and I'll always be a Bomber."
Chief Operating Officer Nick Ryan will continue in the acting CEO role until a replacement has been appointed.
Thanking Vozzo for his contributions, Essendon President Andrew Welsh said: "Craig has made an enormous contribution to our football club over the past three years, both on and off the field.
"His deep understanding of football has been pivotal in reshaping our football programs, which underwent significant transformation under his leadership.
"The foundations he has helped establish across our AFL and AFLW programs, our commercial operations and our facilities put us in a strong position.
"His strategic leadership and diligent work have strengthened every aspect of our club, and we are well positioned to build on that momentum.
"Craig has worked incredibly hard leading this club and we recognise his unique expertise in football operations. We are actively exploring options to retain him at Essendon in a consultancy capacity, particularly in our list management and recruiting areas where his knowledge and experience would continue to be invaluable.
"I want to personally thank Craig for his service to our club. He has navigated some challenging periods with integrity and professionalism and leaves us in a stronger position than when he arrived. We wish him, Christine, Charlotte, Isla and Jonah all the very best for the future.
"The Board has commenced a thorough process to identify our next CEO, someone who possesses the right blend of leadership capability, strategic vision, and cultural alignment to guide us through our next chapter. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition to continue the progress the Club has made.
Vozzo was one of the most outspoken Essendon leaders during the Zach Merrett trade saga earlier this year, and remained steadfast the former captain would not be leaving the club.
He also took issue with his former colleague Sam Mitchell's approach to the star.
“I know Mitch well, obviously having worked with him (at West Coast). It doesn’t surprise me,” Vozzo told SEN in October.
“But two club captains this year is an interesting one; one with a two-year contract.
“Yeah, I didn’t like that. But anyway, that’s life.”
