AUCKLAND – New Zealand Football named former music industry executive Michael Glading as its new Chief Executive on Monday.
Glading (54) will assume the role on July 16, replacing Paula Kearns who has been acting in the role since Graham Seatter’s departure from the Albany-based national body in April.
Having spent 19 years as Sony Music New Zealand’s managing director and six years previously as the company’s finance manager, Glading said there were plenty of similarities between his old and new industries.
“Football, like music, is an industry where there are many different stakeholders with a lot of emotion invested,” Glading said.
“The test for me in previous roles has been to turn that into commercial success.
“It’s an exciting challenge to do the same in the sport I’m so passionate about.”
In the last ten years under Glading’s stewardship, Sony achieved year-on-year profit growth, in a reducing and highly competitive market.
While still over a week away from his first day in the role, Glading had already identified one of his priorities.
“We have to make sure that as an organisation and a sport we’re all on the same page.”
“By maintaining a highly professional organisation, I believe that excellence off the field will lead to excellence on it.”
New Zealand Football commissioned recruitment agency Momentum Consulting in April to head the search for a new CEO. The agency prepared a shortlist and then interviewed candidates with members of NZF’s board.
Following the sport’s annual congress on June 25, the newly-elected full board met with the final candidates and made the appointment.
“The agency presented us with many high-calibre candidates,” NZF Chairman Frank van Hattum said, “but the things that struck the board about Michael were his strong financial sense and business acumen combined with excellent relationship-building and communication skills.”
“Michael can really drive the move towards financial sustainability, while strengthening the links across football in New Zealand”
After Sony’s merger with BMG, Glading has spent the last three years as a contractor on projects in publishing, sports management and concert promotion while serving on the boards of New Zealand on Air and various media industry trusts and bodies.
Michael Glading (pronounced: “glay-ding”)
Managing director of Sony Music NZ for 19 years (1986- December 2004)
Six years as finance manager of Sony Music NZ (1978-1984)
Business manager for Sir Bob Charles 2005-2008
Served as president of Recording Industry Association for nine years
Board member of New Zealand on Air
Board member of New Zealand on Screen (Government-owned Trust)
Chairman of Play it Strange (Charitable Trust)
Chairman of New Zealand Music Performance Committee (Radio body)
Signed and developed numerous New Zealand recording artists, including Bic Runga and Brooke Fraser
Since 2005, promoted and organised tours by numerous international recording artists, including Pavarotti, INXS, Stevie Nicks, UB40, and Paul Potts
Married with three daughters
Has been a football player for over 25 years
Qualified accountant (B.Com – Auckland)
Story and Photo courtesy of NZF Media. For more information please visit www.nzfootball.com