Star Entertainment Group has announced the appointment of former Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) executive Scott Wharton as CEO of The Star Sydney and Group Head of Transformation, pending receipt of regulatory approvals.
Wharton will report directly to Robert Cooke, who was recently named CEO and Managing Director of Star Entertainment Group, replacing Matt Bekier.
“Scott has exemplary credentials as we drive a renewal program across the group,” said interim Chairman Ben Heap. “The work he led at CBA has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive reforms of corporate culture in Australia.

“His leadership, capabilities, expertise in delivering significant transformation working closely with regulators, together with his commercial skills and experience managing complex businesses, made him the ideal; candidate to take on this key position within the organization.
“Scott has broad business experience. He has led large teams and managed multifaceted change programs with significant budgets in the United States and Asia as well as Australia. We are delighted to have him join The Star as this important juncture.”
According to Star, Wharton was most recently a member of CBA’s Executive Leadership Team as Group Executive, Program Delivery where he was responsible for leading key bank-wide transformation efforts.
His appointment follows a recent review into The Star Sydney’s suitability to retain its casino license, from which the final report is due to be handed down in August.