DAVID Evans has been officially appointed chairman of Essendon, replacing Ray Horsburgh.

Horsburgh held the position from late 2005, overseeing the recruitment of Matthew Knights as coach and Ian Robson as chief executive officer.

He announced last month he would not seek re-election and endorsed Evans as his successor.

Evans follows in the footsteps of his late father Ron, who was chairman of the club from 1988 to 1992.

In accepting the position at Monday night's annual general meeting, he said he felt privileged and excited to take on the role.

"This is a club with an amazing history and tradition and I have now become a custodian of the values, standards and expectations that we all share," Evans told Essendon's website.

"I feel excited because I am surrounded by very talented people at the club that are showing real drive, enthusiasm and innovation and want to write an exciting new chapter of the club's proud history."

Evans also paid tribute to Horsburgh, who will remain on the board for the last two years of his current term.

"[He] leaves a defining legacy given his great leadership and commitment to creating generational change - change that is occurring at this club as we speak," Evans said.

On a day that saw Jobe Watson emulate his father Tim by being named Essendon captain, Ron and David Evans became the third set of fathers and sons to have held the position of chairman at the club.

Robert and Alex McCracken and Arthur and Wally Crichton are the others.