Australia: Crown names NBN's Ziggy Switkowski to replace Helen Coonan as Chair

Australia’s Crown Resorts announced on Thursday the appointment of Ziggy Switkowski as chairman, succeeding Helen Coonan, who resigned from the company effective Friday. Telstra boss’ appointment comes as a broader inquiry that could see the casino operator its licenses nears an end.

Having been the CEO of both Telstra and Optus, Switkowski is currently non-executive chairman at broadband provider NBN Co, Jane Halton will take on the interim role until the newly appointed chairman takes over the role as soon as regulatory clearances are received. 

Members of Crown’s board, Halton, Toni Korsanos and Nigel Morrison spoke about Switkowski in an official statement and said “Ziggy’s experience and capabilities are well suited to meeting the challenges currently confronting Crown”. 

The Royal Commission is currently assessing whether Crown is fit to hold gambling licences in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney after it was accused of money laundering by the media. 

Earlier this month, Crown’s Melbourne operations chief executive left after 8 months in the position, after counsel assisting the Victorian royal commission into Crown said the former Howard government minister was not a “credible face for change at the group”. 

The board members said that Ms. Coonan had “stepped up” when Crown needed “strong and principled leadership, and played a crucial role in stabilizing the group”.