New Zealand’s SkyCity Entertainment Group confirmed Monday that its new CEO, Jason Walbridge has now commenced in the role.
Walbridge was first announced as former CEO Michael Ahearne’s replacement in April, bringing with him a plethora of industry experience including 18 years with slot machine giant Aristocrat Leisure Ltd and a stint with Light & Wonder.
In a filing, SkyCity added that interim CEO Callum Mallet would resume the role of Chief Operating Officer New Zealand from 15 July, while Julian Cook will cease his executive role.
Brad Burnett will also step down from the role as Interim Chief Operating Officer New Zealand and take up the new role of General Manager Gaming Auckland.
Walbridge’s first task as CEO will be to stabilize SkyCity’s operations, with the company having recently announced it would suspend the payment of dividends for the remainder of 2024 and throughout 2025 as it looks to protect its financial state due to challenging economic and regulatory conditions.
SkyCity’s Australian casino, SkyCity Adelaide, is also looking to rebound after recently agreeing to pay AU$67 million as part of settlement agreement with anti-money laundering watchdog AUSTRAC for past compliance failures.
In a separate announcement on Tuesday morning, SkyCity also announced the appointment of Peter Fredricson as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer. According to information from SkyCity, Fredricson has over 25 years’ experience in the listed energy and infrastructure sectors and the financial services and investment banking sectors across Australasia, Asia and the Pacific Rim.