Australia’s Star Entertainment Group has watched another domino fall with Acting CEO Geoff Hogg tendering his resignation from all positions on Monday.
Hogg will remain on board temporarily to help transition his responsibilities in an orderly manner, the company announced, while Interim Chairman Ben Heap will assume the role of Executive Chairman until Robert Cooke starts as group Managing Director and CEO. Cooke is currently awaiting regulatory approvals.
The departure of Hogg follows evidence tendered as part of an inquiry into Star’s operations in Queensland, including the company’s relationship with Hong Kong firm Chow Tai Fook – a 4.99% shareholder and partner in Star’s AU$3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development.
Hogg, who was only appointed Acting CEO in May, had previously overseen the company’s Queensland casinos The Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane.
The inquiry also alleged the Queensland properties had encouraged customers banned or excluded from The Star Sydney to gamble across the border.
Giving evidence on the matter in August, Hogg said, “I think in hindsight we clearly should have been asked more questions from that point. I do accept that our policies and procedures were not strong enough and those people should have been excluded earlier.”
Hogg is the latest in a growing list of high-profile casualties from inquiries into The Star in NSW and Queensland following the departures of former Managing Director and CEO Matt Bekier and Chairman John O’Neill.
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