Australia’s beleaguered Crown Resorts has appointed former SkyCity Entertainment Group Deputy Chairman Bruce Carter to its new board of directors.
Many headlines announcing the appointment, which must be approved by regulators, referred to Carter as “Mr. Fix-it”—a smart pick for the casino operator trying to rehabilitate its image in Australia.
The appointment of Carter, pending regulatory approval, comes just three weeks after he stepped down from his 11-year tenure on the SkyCity board. Most recently, he oversaw the AU$330 million expansion of SkyCity Adelaide, completed late last year, reported Inside Asian Gaming. He joined another SkyCity alum, former CEO Nigel Morrison, who was officially appointed to the Crown board last week.
“Bruce brings to the Crown board the ideal blend of commercial, governance and gaming sector expertise and is respected across Australia for his contribution to corporate and government roles,” said Crown Executive Chairwoman Helen Coonan. “Attracting someone of Bruce’s caliber to the Board is an endorsement of our strategy, ambition and commitment to reform.
“Bruce’s appointment will enhance our governance as we continue to implement our ambitious reform program. I am determined to maintain the pace of change right across the business and remain committed to further board renewal.”
Five former Crown directors left the company after the February release of the Bergin Report, which detailed a culture of non-compliance at Crown that resulted in money laundering at its casinos in Perth and Melbourne. As a result, the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority deemed Crown unsuitable to hold a state casino license in that state.
Board members Guy Jalland, Michael Johnston, Andrew Demetriou, Harold Mitchell and John Poynton all stepped down, along with CEO Ken Barton and General Counsel Mary Manos.
