A member of the NFL’s board since 2007, he becomes the league’s fourth chairman following Frank Rosbrook, Ron Bongetti and Tony Topp.
Topp stepped down as chairman at the league’s annual general meeting in December last year after two seasons in the post.
Philpots said it had long been his ambition become NFL chairman.
“Certainly after Ron (Bongetti) left and Tony Topp took over there was a succession plan in place and it became a real goal and ambition of mine to become chairman of the Northern Football League,” he said.
“The past three chairmen have all provided me with great experience and hopefully it’s the case that I can use that knowledge they have given to me.
“This is my seventh year on the board so I believe I’ve learned a bit and I can use elements from all of them.”
Growing the league is Philpots’ main goal as chairman, as well as maintaining its reputation as the premier sporting competition in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
“I think we’ve had a few years of consolidation so I think now it’s time for growth,” he said. “I’m looking forward to expanding the league into new territory.”
Philpots has spent the past five years as junior chairman and said the expansion of the junior competition is an achievement he will look back on fondly.
“The growth of the junior competition is something I am proud of,” he said.
“We have more sides and more stability today. When I took over there was no grading in the juniors, so implementing the grading process and more alignment with the Northern Knights in the representative program are some of the things that I am proud of and enjoy seeing the successful results of.”
A replacement for Philpots as junior chairman has not yet been determined.
