Australia’s Star Entertainment Group Limited has revealed that its new Managing Director and CEO Robert Cooke will officially start in the role from next Monday 17 October after gaining regulatory approval in Queensland.
The former Tatts Group boss was originally appointed to the role in June, pending regulatory approvals in Queensland and NSW, replacing Matt Bekier in the role. Bekier stepped down in March amid an inquiry into Star’s Sydney operations, which ultimately found the company unsuitable to hold a NSW casino license.
While Cooke has yet to receive NSW regulatory approval, Star said early Thursday that he would commence next week with current Executive Chairman Ben Heap to return to his non- executive role.
Heap will, however, retain responsibility for certain decisions that require NSW “close associate” status until Cooke’s regulatory approvals in NSW are obtained.
His arrival comes at a time when Star is facing regulatory issues on multiple fronts, with the Queensland government having also found the company unsuitable to hold a license for its two Queensland casinos – The Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane. Star is also nearing completion of its AU$3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development, due to open in 2023.
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