Australian integrated resort operator Crown Resorts has appointed Bruce Carter, previously deputy chair of SkyCity Entertainment Group, to its board as a non-executive director.
Carter, whose appointment is subject to certain regulatory approvals, has worked across a range of industries in both the public and private sectors for more than 40 years.
This included a spell with SkyCity, where he oversaw the expansion development at SkyCity Adelaide.
Carter was also a director of global railroad operator Genesee and Wyoming Inc until its takeover by Brookfield, and spent time with Ernst & Young for 14 years, working in the US, UK, Canada and Hong Kong.
Carter is currently chair of the Australian Submarine Corporation and Aventus Capital, and holds directorships with the Bank of Queensland and AIG Australia
“Bruce brings to the Crown board the ideal blend of commercial, governance and gaming sector expertise and is respected across Australia for his contribution to corporate and government roles,” Crown’s executive chairman Helen Coonan said.
“Attracting someone of Bruce’s calibre to the Board is an endorsement of our strategy, ambition and commitment to reform.”
Carter added: “Helen has marked out an ambitious timetable to complete tough and wide- ranging reforms as the board moves to embed the highest standards of governance.
“I am excited to be a part of it and look forward to contributing as the board drives the important changes required to make Crown a better organisation.”
Meanwhile, Crown also announced John Horvath will retire as a director on 14 April.
The announcement come after private equity group Blackstone Group last month put forward an offer of AUS$8.02bn (£4.45bn/€5.14bn/US$6.192n) to acquire the remaining shares in Crown.
Blackstone offered AUD$11.85 for each share in Crown for 90.1% of shares it does not currently own.
Following a review into its business that found Crown “unsuitable” for a licence to operate a casino in Sydney, Crown has made a number of other changes to its board.
Following the release of the report, chief executive Ken Barton stepped down with Coonan taking over on an interim basis.
Directors Guy Jalland, Michael Johnston and Andrew Demetriou also resigned, as did general counsel and company secretary Mary Manos.
