Australian casino operator Star Entertainment Group has announced changes to its senior leadership as it continues efforts to recover the business. The company confirmed the immediate resignation of Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Frank Krile, as well as the forthcoming departure of Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jeannie Mok, who will leave the company at the end of January 2026.
The leadership changes form part of a broader overhaul of Star’s executive team and board of directors. The company continues to operate under financial pressure, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and a multi-year remediation program.
Star said it will begin a formal process to search for and appoint a new CFO. The announcement followed confirmation of the appointment of Bruce Mathieson Jr. as Star’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), replacing Steve McCann.
Mathieson’s appointment was formally confirmed by the company more than a week after the leadership change was first disclosed. He also joined Star’s board of directors, representing the shareholding interests of his father’s Investment Holdings Pty Ltd.
Earlier, Star appointed Soo Kim, Chairman of Bally’s Corporation, as its new board chairman. This move followed a significant capital injection from Bally’s, which played a key role in stabilizing the company during a period of acute liquidity pressure.
Alongside Kim’s appointment, Bally’s President George Papanier joined Star’s board. At the same time, Anne Ward resigned as chair of the board, leaving the body along with independent director Deborah Page.
The Mathieson family and Bally’s are currently Star’s two largest shareholders, holding approximately 23% and 38% stakes, respectively. Both parties played a central role in financing a rescue package for the group when it was on the brink of insolvency.
Their growing influence reflects significant changes in Star’s corporate governance structure and highlights the responsibility placed on new leadership to restore financial stability and rebuild regulatory trust.
Mathieson acknowledged the contribution of the departing executives in guiding the company through a turbulent period, noting their involvement in advancing Star’s remediation program.
The group remains subject to regulatory oversight and is required to implement operational reforms stemming from previous inquiries that uncovered governance failures and compliance breaches across its casino operations.
Star’s leadership reset clearly demonstrates the scale of change underway at the company. New shareholders, directors, and senior executives are working to address debt pressures, reputational damage, and the need to rebuild trust with regulators and investors.
The coming months are expected to be critical as Star seeks to demonstrate tangible progress in executing its turnaround strategy.
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