Australia’s Crown Resorts has continued to rebuild its boardroom and executive leadership teams with the appointment of Anne Ward as a director and Craig Durham as Group Company Secretary and Legal Counsel.
Ward, currently chair of fellow ASX-listed companies Redbubble and MNF Group and a Council member at RMIT University, represents the fourth new addition to Crown’s Board of Directors since publication of the infamous Bergin Report in February, which saw the company found unsuitable to retain its NSW casino license and prompted Royal Commissions into their suitability in Victoria and Western Australia.
The report has also seen 10 former directors step aside or retire in the past seven months, although the sole survivor, Jane Halton, has since been joined by Nigel Morrison and Bruce Carter as directors and former telco boss Ziggy Switkowski as chair of the new-look board.
Ward, who will serve as an independent Non-Executive Director subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals, is described by Crown as an experienced company director with expertise in business management, strategy, governance, risk and finance across sectors including financial services, technology, healthcare, government, education and tourism.
“Crown has been an integral part of my hometown Melbourne for many years and I am excited about the opportunity to make a contribution to the Board as Crown shapes its future,” she said.
“I look forward to joining the Board as an agent for positive change and I am committed to supporting management in implementing the reform program and driving value for shareholders.”
Crown’s new Group Company Secretary and Legal Counsel, Craig Durham, is due to join the company on 4 October 2021 although Alan McGregor will continue as interim Company Secretary until Durham receives his regulatory approvals.
“Craig is an accomplished and experienced ASX listed company secretary, lawyer and governance professional with qualifications in Australia and the United States, and on behalf of the board of directors and management, we welcome Craig to Crown,” said Halton, who is herself serving as interim chair.
Crown is currently awaiting the findings of the Victoria Royal Commission into its suitability to hold its license for Crown Melbourne, due to be handed down by 15 October.
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