TEAM GWS has added another important piece to its puzzle by appointing Tony Shepherd as its inaugural chairman.

Shepherd is the chairman of Transfield Services Limited, one of the biggest infrastructure and engineering services companies in Australia.

The lifelong AFL supporter is regarded as a major figure in the public building and construction industry because of his work in projects including the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, the Walsh Bay redevelopment and Melbourne's CityLink and EastLink.

AFL chief executive officer Andrew Demetriou said he was thrilled that a figure with Shepherd's experience and passion had taken on the role to guide Team GWS and its board.

"In the past few months Team GWS has gone from strength to strength and the appointment of a business leader like Tony Shepherd is such an exciting next step," he said.

"Tony has been involved in so many major construction projects and his experience in building new companies and projects will take the building of Team GWS to a whole new level.

"He is well respected for his ability to deliver major projects that have changed this country and also as someone with a gift for bringing together community, business and government around a vision."

Shepherd said he was excited by the task of spreading the AFL message to one of Australia's fastest growing areas.

"This is a great challenge. I believe in the vision of having an AFL team in Western Sydney and think the people of Greater Western Sydney have the enthusiasm and the drive to make this happen," he said.

Much like the process followed by his equivalent at the Gold Coast franchise, John Witheriff, Shepherd will now move to form a board, appoint a CEO and put in place a club structure.

Team GWS will then prepare a business plan to present to the AFL in July in its bid to be granted the competition's 18th licence.

Shepherd has scaled back some of his other business commitments to accommodate his new responsibilities with Team GWS and the community.

"One of the important elements of this team is that it is looking to build a successful football team but also a successful community organisation that can help to generate jobs, economic activity, tourism, promote harmony and also help to deliver better health and education outcomes," he said.

Shepherd is also a trustee of the SCG but will excuse himself from any discussions where the two roles could conflict.

Team GWS' other key appointments have included Kevin Sheedy as coach, Graeme Allan as general manager of football operations, Alan McConnell as high performance manager, Andrew Hill as talent academy manager and recently-retired Geelong dual premiership captain Tom Harley as a consultant.