Sir Owen Glenn has approached two fellow knights to run the trust that will oversee his shareholding in the Warriors.
The Herald on Sunday understands Sir Ralph Norris and Sir Peter Leitch are among several high-profile individuals who have been invited to be trustees in Glenn's latest endeavour, which willsee his half share of the Warriors transferred into a charitable trust.
Glenn is set to confirm the venture on Tuesday, with an announcement likely at the New Zealand Rugby League headquarters in Penrose.
Norris and Leitch would bring huge business acumen and credibility to the venture.
As chief executive, Norris brought Air New Zealand back from the brink of financial ruin in 2002 and later oversaw a similar rescue act at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. He was managing director of ASB Bank for 10 years and recognised as the New Zealand executive of the decade in 2010. Norris, 66, became a Warriors member this season.
Leitch, aka The Mad Butcher, has been recognised as the Warriors' No 1 fan since the club's inception in 1995. Aside from his business career, Leitch has held many roles in the sport, from early administrative posts at his beloved Mangere East Hawks to Kiwis team manager under coach Brian McClennan. He's also been recognised for his tireless work in the community.
"There are still some details to be worked through and all of the trustees need to be confirmed," said Bill Birnie, who is currently Owen Glenn's representative on the Warriors' board.
"But it is going to be a positive outcome very soon and we hope to have everything sorted out before Sir Owen leaves the country on Thursday."
Birnie is likely to be one of the trustees and will keep his seat on the board.
He was unable to confirm if other trustees will join the current five-man board — Birnie, Jim Doyle, Mark Flay, Justin Davis-Rice and chairman Bill Wavish.
"The trustees will ask for representation but that will have to be worked out in due course," said Birnie.
Earlier this year Glenn said his motivation in setting up the trust was to boost grassroots and secondary school league.
He also hoped the decision would encourage more fans to become members and boost the Warriors' membership which is currently around 11,000.
The setting up of the trust could bring to an end the bitter ownership saga between Glenn and Eric Watson, which spilled into the public domain last year.
Glenn became co-owner of the club early in the 2012 season (investing $6 million) and the two rich listers promised to take the club "to the next level".
Watson claimed the Warriors could become the biggest sporting franchise in Australasia.
However, behind the scenes their relationship gradually deteriorated, culminating in a massive bust up over the decision to sack coach Matt Elliott early last season.
