Australia’s Star Entertainment Group has appointed Ben Heap as interim chairman and Geoff Hogg as acting chief executive, following the departure of executive chair John O’Neill last week.
O’Neill had been serving as operator’s chairman and was also appointed executive chair on an interim basis on 1 April after Matt Bekier resigned as managing director and CEO.
However, O’Neill last week announced that he would step down from both his executive and boardroom roles ahead of giving evidence in a review by the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority into Star’s licence.
O’Neill will transition his chair and executive responsibilities and formally stand down on 31 May, with Heap and Hogg taking on their temporary roles with effect from 1 June.
Remuneration arrangements for Hogg, who is currently interim chief casino officer for NSW and Queensland, will be announced prior to him starting as acting CEO.
The NSW regulator launched a review into Star amid accusations that Star knowingly worked with junkets that had ties to criminal groups and that its anti-money laundering measures were insufficient.
The review of The Star Sydney began in June 2021, and centred on assessing whether The Star was eligible for an operating licence in New South Wales.
