Richard Garvey has been elected unopposed as President of Hawthorn Football Club at tonight’s Annual General Meeting.

Garvey served as acting president in 2016 after Andrew Newbold stood down from the role in February and will continue as president for a further three years.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as president in 2016 and am excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to continue in the role of president,” Garvey said.

“Hawthorn Football Club is a very special organisation which has been served by many wonderful leaders over the years. Our most recent presidents - Ian Dicker, Jeff Kennett and Andrew Newbold - have each left our club with a great legacy.

“I am very honoured to serve as the next president and feel privileged to have the support and backing of the board and our members.

“I hope to continue to build and develop Hawthorn as a strong AFL business which helps contribute to the on field success of the team.”

Garvey first became associated with the club in 1997 as the lead auditing partner from KPMG.

He retained this role until his retirement from the firm in early 2008 and was appointed a director of the club in October 2010 and vice-president in 2015.

Outside of Hawthorn, Garvey is a consultant, financial adviser and a is member of several boards, including Vaughan Constructions where he is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors.

He was a Board member of the Australian Institute of Management - Victoria and Tasmania for 11 years until December 2011 including four years as president and a national Board member.