Anthony Di Pietro Appointed Essendon Vice President

Essendon Football Club has announced the appointment of Anthony Di Pietro as vice president. The move comes as the club seeks to bolster its commercial acumen and sporting governance following a period of transition at the board level.

Di Pietro ascends to the position after a brief but impactful tenure on the board, having first joined in October 2025. He takes over the vacancy left by Tim Roberts, who has transitioned into the role of CEO. Roberts will retain his seat as a director on the Board while spearheading the club’s daily operations as CEO.

Di Pietro’s Heavy Hitting Credentials

As the Group CEO and Director of Premier Fresh Australia, he has steered one of the nation’s leading fresh produce enterprises for more than 22 years. This dual expertise in elite sports governance and large-scale corporate leadership is expected to be a primary driver for Essendon’s strategic growth.

Highlighting the immediate impact Di Pietro has made since his arrival, Essendon president, Andrew Welsh, added: “Anthony is an experienced leader, executive and board member who has quickly become a key sounding board for me.”

“What he achieved at Melbourne Victory, turning the club into a consistent contender that led on and off the field, is a reflection of leadership style and vision,” Welsh said. 

Expressing his commitment to Welsh’s “All in All Heart” vision for the club’s future, Di Pietro, noted: “I’m committed to playing an active part in growing the Club both on and off the field and to being a strong support for Andrew in his role as President.” 

Di Pietro brings a formidable track record in high-stakes sports management, most notably through his 18-year involvement with Melbourne Victory.

During his 13-year tenure as Chairman of the A-Leagues club, he oversaw its evolution into a trophy-winning powerhouse, establishing a recognisable benchmark for commercial sustainability and on-field success within the Australian sporting landscape.

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