27 John Alexander
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Crown Resorts
POWER SCORE: 988
POSITION LAST YEAR: —
CLAIMS TO FAME
Long-time confidante of James Packer
Background as an Australian media powerbroker
A long-time ally of Crown Resorts’ largest shareholder James Packer – having run his former publishing group ACP Magazines before it was split into separate gaming and media identities – John Alexander was recruited into Crown Resorts in 2007. There he has not only become one of the company’s great survivors but has elevated himself to the very top rung, a move completed in January 2017 when he was appointed Executive Chairman following the firing of predecessor Robert Rankin in the wake of Crown’s “China scandal” when 19 employees were arrested for promoting gambling.
Alexander maintained a steady hand through the difficulties that ensued, including a 50% decline in VIP turnover for 2017, and has since overseen a strong recovery through the first six months of 2018 with turnover back up from AU$33.3 billion to AU$51.5 billion.
He has also had to take on even greater responsibility this year following the news in March that Packer was stepping down from the board completely to battle mental health issues.
It’s certainly been a roller-coaster ride for him, but there does seem to be a lot more to look forward to as Crown closes in on completion of its much-hyped AU$2.3 billion Crown Sydney high-end casino in 2021.
For the full list of 2018 Asian Gaming Power 50 winners, click here.
