Sydney-listed Aristocrat Leisure has appointed Craig Toner as the new chief executive of its land-based gaming division, Aristocrat Gaming.
Toner has been with the company for more than seven years, most recently serving as Aristocrat Gaming’s chief financial officer and executive vice president of operations.
He takes over with immediate effect from Hector Fernandez, who has resigned and accepted a role with a competitor.
“Craig has been a key part of the global Aristocrat Gaming leadership team that has delivered strong growth and transformational change over recent years,” said Aristocrat Leisure CEO and managing director Trevor Croker. “He has also worked closely with our Board and Executive Steering Committee on a number of major strategic and operational priorities.
“Craig is people oriented, highly collaborative and impactful. We are delighted to be able to elevate a proven and capable leader of Craig’s calibre to this role, demonstrating again the depth of talent we have built at Aristocrat.”
Croker continued: “Craig will ensure a seamless leadership transition, maintaining a relentless customer focus, and continuing to execute our plans. Aristocrat Gaming today is a global team with extraordinary resilience, depth and momentum, and I have every confidence that Craig will continue to build on this going forward, with the support of the many talented leaders across our global business.”
Hector Fernandez joined Aristocrat as chief financial officer of the Americas Gaming business unit in 2018, before being appointed CEO of Aristocrat Gaming in 2022. His contractual obligations include a 12 month non-compete clause.
“We thank Hector sincerely for his commitment and recognise his contribution to our business over the last six years,” Croker concluded.
Earlier this week Aristocrat nominated seasoned business and technology executive Natasha Chand as a non-executive director.
Chand will stand for election at Aristocrat’s next annual general meeting and will be referred to as director (elect) until regulatory pre-approval is obtained.
“I am delighted to welcome a colleague of Natasha’s calibre and experience to the Board,” said Aristocrat chairman Neil Chatfield. “Natasha’s skills and global perspectives across areas including omni-channel and consumer strategy, digital technology and business transformation are highly relevant, in particular as Aristocrat deepens its presence in online RMG markets and executes its ambitious growth strategy. I look forward to Natasha’s contribution to our continued success.”
Shares in Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX:ALL) closed 0.81 per cent higher at AU$69.75 per share in Sydney Thursday.