It is with great regret that Aquis Gold Coast Titans foundation employee and Head of Operations and Media, Ian Buchanan, has today announced he is leaving the club to pursue new opportunities and the next phase of his outstanding professional career.
Ian joined the club in July 2005 immediately after the Titans’ licence was granted by the NRL and he has been a cornerstone of the club’s administration since. Over the 10-plus years of Ian’s service he has ensured that, regardless of whatever else was going on off the field, he remained absolutely committed and focused on ensuring the club and the team were always his number one priority.
“Everyone Ian has worked with both internally and externally knows exactly what an honourable and decent person he is and his constant presence will be sorely missed, although we still hope to see him regularly and he will always be welcome at Titans’ games and events whenever he would like to attend”, Titans Chief Executive Officer Graham Annesley said today.
Over the past 12 months the Titans administration has been going through a restructure process focusing on continually improving the club’s commercial viability so we can provide our team with the resources required to compete at the top level.
Ian’s departure will see the senior management of the club further consolidated and streamlined with a new position of Chief Operating Officer to be appointed to assist the CEO oversee all areas of the business, as well as having direct responsibility for the executive management of the Titans’ football department. We expect to make an announcement about this appointment later today.
Having been at the Titans since inception, Mr Buchanan understandably had mixed emotions about leaving the club he loves.
“I am both incredibly sad and happy to be leaving the club I helped create, as the time is right for change and a new opportunity awaits both personally and professionally,” Mr Buchanan said.
“My long tenure with the club has seen some amazing highlights and some very ordinary lowlights. Over everything else though the thing which stands out most is the resilience of this club and the brand behind it.
“My team will always be the Titans and I think that there are only good times ahead for the club and those that support it. I wish the board the staff the players and fans of the Titans the very best of success for the future."
The club is also very pleased to announce that interim Football Operations Manager, Anthony Laffranchi, has been appointed to the role permanently following his outstanding performance since stepping up to fill in over recent months. Anthony, a Titans foundation player and former State of Origin, and Australian representative, will report directly to the new Chief Operating Officer who will oversee his continued growth and development in the role.
“While it is always sad to see quality people leave the organisation, the Board and management of the club remain absolutely committed to the on-going rebuilding process of the Titans both on and off the field,” Mr Annesley added.
“The revamped management structure to be implemented with Ian’s departure will focus heavily on commercial growth and cost efficiencies to help the club become more competitive. We all wish Ian nothing but success in the future and we know Ian’s wish for the club he loves is reciprocated.”
