South Melbourne Hellas Football Club today announced the appointment of three new Board Directors: the Hon Philip Dalidakis, John Karantzis and Associate Professor Marinis Pirpiris.
The appointments reflect the club’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities in line with its ambitions both on and off the pitch.
The Hon Philip Dalidakis brings to the Board an exceptional record across government, commerce and public policy. A former Victorian Cabinet Minister and C suite executive, he is Managing Partner of Orizontas, a boutique advisory firm working with boards and senior executive teams on complex strategic and reputational challenges.
He currently represents Australia on the APEC Business Advisory Council and holds board positions spanning life sciences, defence and social impact. His experience chairing audit and risk committees and navigating the intersection of politics, media and governance adds a distinctive and immediately valuable dimension to the South Melbourne Board.
John Karantzis is a Partner and Head of Personal Injury Law and Litigation at Carbone Lawyers, with more than 28 years of experience in personal injury law.
Accredited as a Specialist in Personal Injury Law by the Law Institute of Victoria and recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a leading plaintiff lawyer and litigator in Victoria, John brings to the Board rigorous legal judgement, extensive experience managing high stakes disputes and a demonstrated record of advocacy on behalf of individuals.
Associate Professor Marinis Pirpiris is an internationally recognised orthopaedic surgeon, academic and healthcare leader with extensive expertise in robotic joint replacement of the hip and knee, arthritis management and sports injury care.
He is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with appointments at Epworth and Cabrini Hospital and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian Orthopaedic Association.
Associate Professor Pirpiris holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Melbourne and has completed post fellowship training at leading institutions in the United States and United Kingdom. A leader in orthopaedic innovation across Australia, Europe and the Asia Pacific region, he brings to the Board a rigorous analytical mind, deep ties to the medical community and a commitment to player welfare and athlete performance that will serve the club well.
The appointments follow a period of focused Board renewal at South Melbourne Hellas as the club pursues its ambitions to compete for higher honours and advance its longer term strategic objectives.
Co Presidents Bill Papastergiadis and Andrew Mesourouni said all three Directors were selected for the quality of their judgement, the breadth of experience they bring and their genuine connection to the values and history of the club.
Co Presidents Bill Papastergiadis and Andrew Mesourouni:
“Philip, Marinis and John are exactly the kind of people South Melbourne Hellas needs at Board level right now.
“Philip’s record across government, business and the NFP sector gives us a perspective very few clubs can access. John’s legal expertise and track record of fighting for people are qualities that reflect what this club stands for, while Marinis brings the kind of medical and scientific rigour that will make a real difference to how we support our players.
“All three understand what this club means and what it can become. We are genuinely excited to be working alongside them.”
The Hon Philip Dalidakis:
“South Melbourne Hellas is one of this country’s great football clubs, with a proud heritage and a family that cares deeply about where the club is headed.
“I’m excited to join a Board that is serious about continuing to build on the giants of the past and I look forward to contributing wherever I can.”
John Karantzis:
“Hellas has always stood for more than football. It’s a club built on community, resilience and pride, and those are values I’ve tried to bring to my own work throughout my career.
“I’m looking forward to contributing my legal and governance experience to a Board that is thinking seriously about its future.”
Associate Professor Marinis Pirpiris:
“South Melbourne holds a special place in my heart and I’m honoured to join the Board.
“My focus will be on contributing wherever my background in medicine and sports science can add value, whether that’s in player welfare, performance or the club’s broader health and wellbeing agenda.
“The club’s ambitions are clear and I’m proud to be part of what comes next.”