Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) advises that Hector Fernandez, previously CEO of Aristocrat Gaming, has resigned and accepted a role with a competitor. Craig Toner (formerly Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President of Operations, Aristocrat Gaming) has been appointed to replace Mr Fernandez, effective immediately and subject to the receipt of necessary regulatory pre-approvals.
Mr Toner comes to the CEO Aristocrat Gaming role after more than seven years with Aristocrat in both Australia and the US. He was promoted through a number of business finance and operations leadership roles in Sydney, before being appointed Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President of Operations for Aristocrat Gaming and relocating to Las Vegas three years ago.
Before joining Aristocrat, Mr Toner spent almost 20 years in senior commercial, strategy and operational roles at Lion Ltd, one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest alcohol and beverages businesses. Craig is a CPA, with a Bachelor of Management Studies, Accounting and Finance.
Commenting on Mr Toner’s appointment, Aristocrat CEO and Managing Director, Trevor Croker said “Craig has been a key part of the global Aristocrat Gaming leadership team that has delivered strong growth and transformational change over recent years. 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.”
“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.”
“We thank Hector sincerely for his commitment and recognise his contribution to our business over the last six years” Croker concluded.
Hector Fernandez joined Aristocrat as Chief Financial Officer of the Americas Gaming business unit in 2017, before being appointed CEO of Aristocrat Gaming in 2022. Mr Fernandez’s relevant contractual obligations include a 12 month non-compete obligation.
Investors:
James Coghill General Manager, Investor Relations
Mobile: (61) 412 426 272
james.coghill@aristocrat.com
Media:
Peter Brookes
Senior Managing Director
Mobile: (61) 407 911 389
peter.brookes@sodali.com
