SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited announced that the retirement of John Mortensen, Group Chief Operating Officer, effective from December 31, 2017; and the appointment of Michael Ahearne as the replacement Group Chief Operating Officer effective from January 1, 2018. Mr. Mortensen leaves SKYCITY to retire to Australia. Mr. Ahearne joins SKYCITY from Paddy Power Betfair. Prior to this, Mr. Ahearne enjoyed a 13 year career in the Australasian gaming and entertainment sector - 10 years of which were spent at The Star Casino, Sydney, where he held a variety of senior management positions including Chief Operating Officer and, following that, three years as Chief Operating Officer for Aristocrat in the Australia and New Zealand regions. As Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ahearne will have direct responsibility for SKYCITY's property in Auckland and play a key role across the SKYCITY Group's other five properties in New Zealand and Australia.