Andy Gowers has been announced as Hawthorn’s new club president, winning a bitter backroom battle to replace the outgoing Jeff Kennett.

Gowers, a premiership Hawk, was successful over Kennett’s president-elect Peter Nankivell on Tuesday night via a member vote.

The appointment brings an end to a messy off-field saga after Kennett’s hopes for a smooth transition to his would-be successor Nankivell were dashed when Gowers announced he’d be running.

Gowers had the support of the Hawks for Change group, who wanted to move away from Kennett’s direction of the club.

During the messy battle, Gowers had claimed Nankivell was handed his role as president-elect in an unfair process, which sparked in-fighting at the club.

The comments saw premiership captain Don Scott and Geoff Harris label Gowers’ claims about Nankivell as “flawed”, “failed” and “grossly inaccurate”.

“In particular, we have concern about the suggestion that the process that saw the Board unanimously support Vice President Peter Nankivell as Jeff Kennett’s successor was not good practice. In fact, it was the very best of good governance,” the duo said in a statement last month.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Hawks congratulated Gowers on his victory.

“The club wishes to thank all members who participated in the electoral process,” it read.

“Gowers joins the Board as President after a previous stint as Football Director for four years from late 2013. He also enjoyed a celebrated playing career for the brown and gold, which included Hawthorn’s 1991 premiership win.

“Professionally, Andy is a succession adviser after spending over 20 years in wealth management.”

Former Victorian deputy and Gowers’ fellow Hawks for Change representative James Merlino was also announced as one of three appointed to the board at the AGM.

Merlino will be joined by Anne-Marie Pellizzer and Katie Hudson on the Board.