Transformational Leader in Global Gaming & Hospitality | Former CEO at Crown Resorts | Championing Integrity, Innovation, Operational Excellence, and Sustainable Growth
Reflecting on Two Transformative Years at Crown Resorts As my time as CEO of Crown Resorts comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on what has been an extraordinary journey over the past two years. It has been a privilege to lead Crown through one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, periods in its history. Together, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones that have not only transformed our business but also set us on a path for sustained success. Key highlights from the past two years include: 1. A Complete Transformation and Remediation: We successfully regained suitability in Victoria and NSW, securing our casino licenses. Our Perth remediation plan is well on track, with a suitability finding anticipated in early 2025. 2. Pioneering Innovation in Responsible Gaming: We’ve developed and implemented world-leading solutions like Mandatory Carded Play and Cashless Gaming, as well as the Crown Playsafe initiative—a groundbreaking, research-backed program to minimize gambling harm. 3. Cultural and Brand Renewal: We relaunched the Crown brand, reinstating its reputation as a global entertainment leader. Integrity became our cornerstone, helping us regain the trust of governments, unions, and communities. 4. World-Class AML/CTF Standards: Following the successful settlement of the historic AUSTRAC case, we rebuilt our AML/CTF capabilities, positioning Crown as a global leader in compliance. 5. Operational Excellence: A significant restructure, across labour, ways of work and supply chain, delivered cost efficiencies that rebuilt EBITDA margins, provided positive cash flows for the first time in years and laid the foundation for future growth. 6. Resort Redevelopment: The physical transformation of our properties is underway. Crown Melbourne is welcoming new bars and restaurants, with further exciting developments on the horizon. 7. Strategic Partnerships: From the VRC to the Australian Grand Prix and UFC, we’ve enhanced our non-gaming partnership experiences, ensuring our resorts are destinations of choice for entertainment and hospitality. This period of transformation was only possible thanks to the unwavering dedication and hard work of our executives, leaders, and team members across Crown Resorts. I am deeply grateful for your support, as well as the invaluable guidance from Blackstone, our boards and our external stakeholders. Crown Resorts is now a trusted, compliant, and world-leading business, well-positioned for a bright future. I leave with immense pride in what we’ve achieved together and with great confidence in the team that will lead Crown into its next chapter. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this extraordinary journey. - Ciarán Carruthers
What an impressive list of achievements in the two years you were at the helm Ciaran. I had read in overseas news how Crown had fallen short with regulators in Australia and I’m delighted to see how quickly you and your team have been able to address those issues. Well done to everyone involved. What is the next port of call for you?
Well done Ciaran. It truly sounds like you are leaving behind a vastly different and more agile business for the future due largely impart to your consistency and persistency of purpose. Also extremely excited to hear that you successfully adopted OpEx transformation practices to enhance EBITDA which is vital to the success of any sustainable change. If you ever need support, you know I stand ready to help. Best of luck in your next chapter of your awesome professional life and thanks for being a small part of mine! 😎 🤙
Well done Ciarán and team. You have set a very important example to all casino/gaming operators in Australia and world wide that these important changes can be made and still remain a reputable and profitable entity in the entertainment landscape.
Well done Bud, enjoy a few months off before getting back to excellence in transformations and running businesses
You made it happen, Ciarán Carruthers and it was way more than the luck of the Irish. After achieving so much in a short span of two years, why are you calling it quits? Inquiring minds want to know.
Congratulations Ciaran on a remarkable couple of years - best wishes for the future and thanks for your leadership and support during my time at Crown.
Ciaran, its a fantastic accomplishment and certainly it was made a lot more complex given the baseline you had to start from. Like you said, these great achievements are never individual based, and require a great team of people to be steered to achieve these goals, therefore it was a great outcome for all parties, best of luck for your next challange.
A tremendous amount of critical work and achievements Ciarán in such a short period of time. A real turnaround and when you compare the fortunes of Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment over the past 2 years its much easier to appreciate what has been achieved. Well done!
Senior Executive | People Leader | Customer Service Delivery | Operations Management | Business Growth | Product Development | Culture Builder | Casinos | Gaming | Hospitality
8mCongratulations Ciaran, you have lead our team to lay the foundation of a stronger future and we are all very grateful for this achievement. 💪💪💪