Robert Kennedy has used his first meeting as ACT Brumbies chairman to ensure there is unity on the board as the club ramps up its search for a chief executive and major sponsor.
Kennedy chaired his first board meeting at Brumbies headquarters on Friday, calling on the directors to pull together as the club aims to recover from a $1.07 million loss for the past year.
There have been rumours of division in the ranks that are understood to have contributed to former chairman Sean Hammond's shock exit last week after nine years in the role and 11 years on the board.
"I made it clear what I expect and they're pretty basic principles of good board governance in terms of board unity and board in-confidence," Kennedy said.
"The board is in a governance role, as opposed to operational roles by management. I think we're on a good path.
"I won't breach any of those principles; it just doesn't work. We will talk as one. I expect the board to have full and frank discussions around the table.
"But when we reach a decision, it's a decision of the board, not some members of the board."
The Brumbies board is working to find a suitable candidate to fill the chief executive job, with Doug Edwards resigning to return to his Queensland company after his business partner fell ill.
Edwards will stay on as chief executive until a replacement is appointed and it is understood the board is close to finalising its preferred options.
The Brumbies are also racing to secure a naming-rights sponsor before the start of the Super Rugby season in February, with up to four companies on the radar.
Kennedy was one of three new board members to join the Brumbies at the annual general meeting last week.
ACT Datacom director Lisa Thorburn becomes the second female on the board, Peter Callaughan was elected to replace Dick Cordy and Kennedy stepped in for Hammond.
"There are a lot of moving parts to get on top of," Kennedy said.
"There are some things to work on ... we'll all rest [easier] a lot if there's a major sponsor and chief executive.
"What I'd like to achieve is unity and stability. There's been a lot of talk about problems at the Brumbies; some of that's real and some of that is rumour.
"But it's about putting it behind us. I think that's finished ... the rugby community voted at the AGM for change so they've got it. We've got our challenges financially, but I believe we've got strategies in place to get through 2015. It's about longer-term structure."
The make-up of the Brumbies board is set to change next year if the directors decide to push ahead with governance changes that were drafted in recent months.
Under the new proposal, the board will shrink from 11 members to nine. Maximum terms for the president, chairman and individual board positions are also expected to be put in place.
The present board is made up of a combination of elected and appointed positions, boasting chartered accountants, company directors and the former deputy secretary for defence.
"We've got one of the strongest playing groups we've had, there will be some great performances next year," Kennedy said.
"We'd like to make an announcement very early in the new year about the CEO, and that will be behind us and we'll be in a stable position. I'm hoping all of the off-field issues are behind us."
