Highly respected business leader Elizabeth Gaines has been endorsed as the first female Chair-elect of the West Coast Eagles and will commence as Chair effective from January 1, 2025.

At a Board meeting this afternoon Ms Gaines was anointed as the successor to Paul Fitzpatrick whose tenure finishes after serving the maximum nine years as a director.

Ms Gaines, best known in the business world for her roles as a senior executive with Fortescue Metals Group including CEO and COO, joined the Eagles Board in 2022 and has served as Deputy Chair in the last two years.

Mr Fitzpatrick said he was delighted to be handing over the reins to Ms Gaines as the club begins to usher in a new era, both on and off the field.

“Elizabeth was elected unopposed and we look forward to her continuing to build on the foundations that have been laid,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“To have someone of Elizabeth’s calibre stepping into the position of Chair is another exciting step in the evolution of our club.     

“Elizabeth has wide ranging respect, not just within the mining industry, but across the business community more broadly. A passionate supporter of our club before joining the Board, she has developed an even stronger connection through her involvement on the Board.”

Ms Gaines said she was looking forward to assisting the club’s push to improve across all aspects of its operations.

“I am delighted to have received the support of my fellow directors and being endorsed as the next Chair of the football club,” Ms Gaines said.

“We are acutely aware that we have not performed on the field as we would have liked in the last three years and we are committed to improving in all areas.”

Rowan Jones, a 2006 premiership player, has been elected as Deputy Chair, also effective January 1, 2025.