Andrew John Plympton AM

A highly respected businessman and sports administrator, Andrew Plympton excelled in the worlds of business, sailing and AFL.

His professional career was in insurance broking where eventually he became a director (advisory) of the Australian Board of global risk manager and broking provider, AON.

Andrew began sailing at the age of eight at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club. During his sailing career, spanning more than 45 years, he won numerous National and State titles. In 1988 he won the World Championship in the International Etchells class. Andrew served on International governing bodies of the sport of sailing and became Commodore of the Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club.

A combined passion for business and sport, with equal amounts of skill, ensured Andrew’s significant success and contribution in both arenas. Andrew served with distinction as President of Yachting Australia for over seven years. During that time, he led a review of Australia’s Olympic Yachting Team. Because of what he achieved though the review Andrew is credited with much of Australia’s international yachting success.

Andrew remained committed to Olympic Sailing and, while no longer President of Yachting Australia, held the position of Chairman Advisory of the Australian Olympic Sailing Team (this includes Paralympic).

In 2008 Andrew was elected to the Australian Olympic Committee and made Director of the Australian Olympic Foundation. In 2011 he was elected to the Board of the Australian Sports Commission (which includes the Australian Institute of Sport). In this role he led the Rowing Australia review into Australian Olympic rowing, a return to the sport he excelled in, having coxed the 1965 BGS 1st VIII at the Head of the River.

A love of AFL led Andrew to become involved with St Kilda Football Club, and in 1993 became Chairman and President of the Club for eight years. Through strict financial management Andrew oversaw a return to financial stability for the Club, along with growth in membership and on-field success, including in 1997, the Saints first Grand Final appearance in 26 years. Andrew was awarded Life Membership of the Saints in 2000.

Recognised as an active entrepreneur, Andrew was Chairman or Non-Exec Director of nine ASX listed companies and sat on many company Boards.

In the years before Andrew’s passing, he also became Chair of Community Concussion Australia, a challenging role, and Director of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.