Former Fremantle and Collingwood player James Clement has been appointed to the club’s board of directors.
Clement, who played a combined 230 games for Fremantle and Collingwood between 1996 and 2007, is the CEO of Sea Harvest Australia.
The Scotch College graduate, who holds a BA Science from Curtin University and an MBA from La Trobe University, is also deputy chairman of the WA Fishing Industry Council and chairman of its finance and risk management committee.
Clement, who is due to commence his two-year term on the board on 1 December, replaces fellow former player Stephen O’Reilly, who is retiring after reaching the club’s constitutional limit of 10-years as a director.
The appointment was ratified by the WA Football Commission.
Fremantle president Dale Alcock said given the complex nature of an AFL club board and the increased focus on high levels of governance, Clement is an ideal fit for the role.
“The club’s board has a lot of components, including social engagement, finance, governance and integrity, commercial operations and football,” Alcock said.
“With so many elements, it is crucial to have an experienced, balanced and diverse board that is able to professionally deliberate on those areas at the highest level.
“Following Peter Bell’s transition from the club’s board to its executive team and Stephen O’Reilly’s retirement, it was agreed that we needed to replenish the board’s depth of football expertise, and potential candidates were considered on that basis.
“James’ experience in business and finance combined with his governance expertise and football knowledge, in particular, make him a welcome addition to our board of directors.
“We were delighted when James accepted the role as director and I’m excited about the valuable contribution he will no doubt make to the future of the club he started his AFL playing career with.”
Clement said he felt privileged to have an opportunity to serve the club as a director.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining Fremantle, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to the future direction of the club,” Clement said.
“I am strongly committed to working with the board and executive team to achieve their aim of being a highly successful club on and off the field.”
Alcock also acknowledged the long-term contribution made by O’Reilly to the club.
“Stephen brought great passion, commitment and insight to his role as a director and those traits will not be diminished by his departure,” Alcock said.
“We thank Stephen for his invaluable contribution to the board and 10-years of voluntary and greatly appreciated service to the club.”
