Australian gaming operator SkyCity Entertainment has announced the appointment of three executives to fill out its new leadership team.
Callum Mallett has been appointed chief operating officer for New Zealand, taking on operating responsibility for the New Zealand businesses and day-to-day operations of SkyCity Auckland. Mallett is currently executive general manager of hospitality at SkyCity Auckland.
David Christian, currently general manager of SkyCity Adelaide, has been appointed chief operating officer for Australia and will continue to lead the Adelaide property which has recently unveiled its AU$330 million (US$250 million) expansion, including the luxury Eos by SkyCity hotel and refurbished facilities within the iconic Adelaide Railway Station.
Matthew Ballesty, currently executive general manager of gaming, has been appointed chief casino officer. He will be responsible for managing the casino operations at SkyCity’s largest property in Auckland as well as providing strategic direction on all gaming products across the SkyCity Entertainment Group.
Michael Ahearne, CEO of SkyCity, said he spent several months assembling the leadership lineup. Last November, the firm announced that then-CEO Graeme Stephens would be leaving the business at the end of the month, to be replaced by then-COO Michael Ahearne. Chief Financial Officer Rob Hamilton and Chief Marketing Officer Liza McNally also left.
According to Asia Gaming Brief, no reason was given for the shakeup, but “the best guess” is that it has something to do with SkyCity Chairman Rob Campbell’s demand for a business ‘’revolution’’ that no longer looks to narrow ‘’shareholder interests’’ or pays ”excessive” senior executive salaries and bonuses.
