Nigel Morrison gets regulatory approval to join Crown board

Former Skycity Entertainment CEO Nigel Morrison is the first new appointment since the Bergin Report found Crown unsuitable to hold its licence for its second Sydney casino.

Australia.- Nigel Morrison has received the necessary regulatory approvals to join Crown Resorts’ board as a non-executive director, effective immediately.

Morrison previously held roles as CEO of the SkyCity Entertainment Group, chief financial officer at Galaxy Entertainment Group and chief operating officer at Crown Melbourne.

Morrison is the first new appointment after the departure of five former Crown directors following recommendations in former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin’s report.

According to local reports, the inclusion of Morrison on the Crown board was a response to accusations that the board lacked real casino operations experience.

Philip Crawford, head of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), said in a recent interview: “I would hope to see people with some degree of experience in casinos, plus numerate people with board experience, a good understanding of the Corporations Act.”

Crown Resorts recently received a non-binding offer by Blackstone Group to acquire all remaining shares in Crown Resorts for AU$11.85 cash per share.