Others to be linked to Tabcorp’s search for a new CEO,a process being run by Mariana Partners,include Cormac Barry,the former Sportsbet chief executive,and Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delaney.
Tabcorp would not comment on McLachlan or any other individuals in relation to the betting company’s hunt for a CEO.
“Tabcorp is running a thorough and exhaustive process,interviewing a number of high-quality candidates,” a Tabcorp spokesman said.
The knock-on impact of McLachlan’s delay would be holding up the Racing Victoria board’s task of appointing a new CEO to replaceAndrew Jones,who resigned at the end of last month.
“My resignation makes way for the new chair and board to select a new CEO to take Racing Victoria forward into the future,” Jones said when announcing his departure.
Racing Victoria will continue to operate under interim CEO Aaron Morrison,the industry’s COO and CFO,until a refreshed board runs an interview process to fill the key executive position.
The RV Board continues to sit with six directors,including Hirst,while the minimum number required for the board to operate under the constitution is five.
The board has already approved racing dates for the coming season,which includes moving the group 3 Archer Stakes (2500 metres) from Derby Day to Makybe Diva Stakes day,cutting seven race meetings from the calendar because of smaller summer fields and introducing a special NFL Super Bowl meeting to be held at Caulfield’s inner track.
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In February this year,Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association chairman Jonathan Munz welcomed the looming prospect of a refreshed board. Three vacancies were created byBrian Kruger,whoresigned as chairman last June,Greg Nichols,who stepped away on March 31,and Hirst,whose tenure is soon coming to an end.
Munz was speaking after a failed bid by his owners association to have five directors - Hirst,Kate Joel,Paul Guerra,Tim Eddy and Ross Lanyon - sacked at a special general meeting. The vote was lost 17 to 3,with 15 votes abstaining.
“You have got to hope that the new directors help the board pivot,and you return to some sense of normality,” Munz said at the time.
“Because we had normal,and then we’ve had chaos. And we want a return to normal and good management. And that’s all we want.”
But three months later,Munz’s desire to see new faces on the board has still not been realised. Munz was contacted by this masthead for comment.
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