SkyCity Entertainment Group has declared significant shifts in its leadership structure. The chief executive, chief financial officer, and chief marketing officer are all departing the organization.
SkyCity Adelaide will shut down as the company reorganizes its management team. Graeme Stephens, the current chief executive, will step down on November 30th but will remain to assist the incoming chief executive, Michael Ahearn, in transitioning into the position. Ahearn, who has served as the Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of chief executive on November 16th.
Rob Hamilton, the chief financial officer, has submitted his resignation and will depart on February 26th, 2021. Lisa McNally, the chief marketing officer, has also resigned and will leave on March 31st, 2021.
The SkyCity board is currently collaborating with Ahearn to revamp the company’s executive leadership.
“It’s fantastic to have such a capable internal candidate to fill the position of chief executive,” stated SkyCity Chairman Rob Campbell. “Michael has been SkyCity’s Chief Operating Officer and has successfully overseen SkyCity’s operations in New Zealand and Australia since December 2017, including the introduction of SkyCity Online Casino in August 2019.”
He possesses broad global gaming expertise, encompassing both land-based and virtual casinos, which will guide the company into a fresh chapter.
SkyCity declared today that it will be halting operations at its Adelaide casino and entertainment center starting at midnight on November 19th, following the South Australian government’s declaration of a new lockdown.
The operator anticipates the casino to be closed for six days, until midnight on November 24th, 2020, as the government mandates venues to close again in response to the persistent spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
The casino expansion project, including a 120-room hotel, was initially planned to open in late November but will now be postponed due to the restrictions.
The venue resumed operations on June 30th after being closed for several months due to Covid-19 restrictions in Adelaide.
September results revealed that SkyCity’s income rose by 36.8% in the 2020 financial year to NZ$1.13 billion (£572.6 million/€643.6 million/$760.7 million), as insurance payments from the 2019 fire offset typical income declines due to the pandemic.
SkyCity Adelaide’s income was A$121 million, down 18.7%. Machine gaming income decreased 25.6% to A$38.3 million, table games income fell 26.5% to A$56.9 million, but non-gaming income increased 30.3% to A$25.8 million.
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