SkyCity appoints interim Australian chief operating officer

SkyCity Entertainment Group has appointed Avril Baynes as its Australia interim chief operating officer, following the resignation of long-time staffer David Christian.  

New SkyCity COO, Avril Baynes

The New Zealand-based gambling and entertainment company announced Baynes is set to officially start the role in mid-April as Christian departs. 

Baynes will also take over from SkyCity’s interim COO, Brad Burnett, who was only appointed this past February. 

Baynes first joined in late 2023 as the company’s general manager for hospitality after stepping over from Mindil Beach Casino Resort in Darwin. 

SkyCity’s interim chief executive officer, Callum Mallet said Christian has “held a number of senior roles during his career” since first joining the business in 2005. 

Mallet added Christian has “led the SkyCity Adelaide business through a very challenging and demanding period.”

SkyCity has undergone other recent changes to its Australian executive team over the past few months.

Mallet is another newly appointed member to the team, taking over from Michael Ahearne who officially left in early March this year.

In late March, SkyCity also announced chief financial officer, Julie Amey resigned and step down this September.

At the time, Mallet said Amey has “been responsible for the financial management of SkyCity” plus its capital markets and internal assurance function “through a very complex and demanding period.”

Andrew Mcpherson also joined the senior team this past March as its new chief information officer. 

He initially stepped in as the interim CIO in November 2023 but was officially handed the role in mid-March. 

Mcpherson the company from New Zealand’s news and media website Stuff where was the CTO for two and a half years.