12/09/2008
SKYCITY BOARD APPOINTMENTS
The new appointments are subject to the necessary approval of shareholders and of regulatory authorities in each of SKYCITY’s gaming jurisdictions.
Brent Harman and Chris Moller replace Patsy Reddy and Bill Trotter, who retire by rotation and will not seek re-election at the Company’s forthcoming Annual Meeting on 31 October 2008. They join incumbent Board members, Chairman Rod McGeoch, Sir Dryden Spring and Elmar Toime, together with Jane Freeman and Peter Cullinane, who were announced last November to enhance the board’s competencies in marketing, technology and strategy. Brent and Chris bring skills and experience gained from running and governing high profile organisations with strong consumer relationships. Their understanding of the entertainment industry, in particular, is highly valued by the SKYCITY Board.
“Over the past twelve months SKYCITY has undertaken a far reaching programme of renewal, appointing a new Chief Executive and introducing a new management team who bring a real depth of industry experience and operational expertise to the organisation,” said SKYCITY Chairman Rod McGeoch. “To complement this we looked to build a tight, well-balanced Board, with appropriate experience in corporate governance, finance and business and with high level competencies in strategic marketing and an in-depth understanding of the wider entertainment industry. We believe that the appointment of Brent and Chris, together with the elevation of Nigel Morrison to the Board, will give us the fit and balance of competencies that is required.”
Mr Harman is a Director and Chairman of HT Media Ltd, parent of the broadcast and online media company, MediaWorks NZ Ltd, and was formerly Chair of Prime Television (NZ) Ltd and CEO of Prime Television (Australia) Ltd. Prior to that he held a number of senior positions in the broadcast and new media industries in New Zealand and the UK. These included Managing Director of Content and New Media, Telewest Communications UK (now Virgin Media); Managing Director, Flextech plc; Chief Executive, Television New Zealand; and General Manager, Newstalk ZB.
Mr Moller is currently a Director of NZX Limited and a Director of Rugby New Zealand 2011 Limited, the joint venture between the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand Rugby Union responsible for organising Rugby World Cup 2011. He was previously CEO of the NZRU, in which capacity he jointly led New Zealand’s successful bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and was a member of the Council of the International Rugby Board. Prior to that he had a distinguished career in the New Zealand dairy industry where he held a number of senior posts with the then New Zealand Dairy Board, including that of Global CFO and Managing Director of New Zealand Milk Products. He later became Deputy Chief Executive of Fonterra. His early career was in the finance and banking sector.
“The Board believes that Brent and Chris’s widely-recognised capabilities, experience and proven track record round out the composition of the Board, providing significantly refreshed leadership that will support SKYCITY’s strategy, both in enhancing business performance and maximising the potential of our assets,” said Mr McGeoch.
“Their considerable knowledge of business strategy and proven successes in both building and growing some of New Zealand’s larger companies and seeing them through periods of major change will be a real asset to the Board, and we look forward to their making a valuable contribution to the Company.”
Mr McGeoch also paid tribute to the two retiring Directors: “The Board wishes to record its thanks to Patsy Reddy and Bill Trotter, both of whom have served shareholders well over a long period - in the case of Patsy, who is Deputy Chair, since the Company’s establishment in 1994. Their contribution has been of immense value, and their commitment to providing sound governance, unfailingly representing shareholders’ interests and supporting the organisation has been such that they are both owed a debt of immense gratitude.”
For further information please contact:
Joanna Bleasdale, Corporate Communications Manager, SKYCITY Entertainment Group
Phone: +64 9 363 6025
Mobile: +64 21 669 413
E-mail: Joanna.Bleasedale@skycity.co.nz
