Ziggy Switkowski steps up as new Chair of Crown Resorts; Helen Coonan bids adieu

Ziggy Switkowski, former Telstra CEO will chair the embattled Crown Resorts soon. He is an experienced corporate leader being the chairman of both NBN Co and Suncorp. Currently, Switkowski is also the director of Healthscope, Oil Search and Tabcorp and the Chancellor of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He also served as chairman and managing director of Kodak and also was the non-executive director of Amcor. Switkowski will replace Helen Coonan who has led Crown Resorts through a rough patch of 18 months where there were chances of almost losing its casino license amid various allegations. The investigations in New South Wales concluded Crown Resorts being ineligible to hold a casino license. This triggered similar inquiries of the company in Victoria and Western Australia.

Jane Halton, the non-executive director of Crown Resorts will be acting as the interim chairman while all regulatory approvals are sought. 

The casino giant had already hinted at Coonan’s imminent exit as soon as a replacement was found. She was the executive chairman of Crown Resorts through three different Royal Commissions. She was responsible for heading a transformation process to resolve cultural and compliance issues in the group. 

The Crown board welcomed Switkowski as the incoming chair. They also expressed gratitude towards Coonan for her leadership during a tumultuous time. They believe that Switkowski’s abilities and capabilities are equipped to circumvent the challenges faced by the Crown Resorts. They are determined to restore the trust of regulators, investors, employees, customers and the wider community.