RWWA Board Appoints Acting Chief Executive Officer
Mr Ian Edwards has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of Racing Wagering and Western Australia (RWWA) while the recruitment of a new CEO is finalised by the Board.
Mr Edwards will work closely with the RWWA Board to implement a range of key operational strategies for both racing and wagering. Mr Edwards has been Chief Financial Officer at RWWA since 2017, reporting to outgoing CEO Richard Burt.
The appointment of an Acting Chief Executive Officer follows a period of intensive engagement by the Chair of RWWA Board, Jeff Ovens, with the Executive team on the day-to-day running of the organisation.
Mr Ovens has taken an active oversight role within the organisation, since the announcement of the resignation of Mr Burt, to ensure continuity on strategic issues for the organisation, ranging from racing activities during the COVID-19 period to the pause of TAB privatisation process.
Mr Ovens engagement during August and September clearly identified for the Board the capability within the Executive team to guide the organisation while a permanent CEO is recruited. An internal selection process was then held by the Board, resulting in the appointment of Mr Edwards.
Mr Edwards will assume the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer from 1 October 2020, following the departure of Mr Richard Burt. There are no other changes to Executive roles at RWWA, with the current team maintaining their areas of responsibility.
Mr Ovens said the Board appreciated the quality of talent and experience within its Executive team and was pleased to make an internal appointment as Acting Chief Executive Officer for the duration of the recruitment period to find a successor to Mr Burt.
“Ian will bring his extensive knowledge of the organisation, its goals and culture to the important task of progressing the strategies that the Board has put in place to drive racing and wagering performance and safeguard the long-term sustainability of the Western Australian racing industry,” Mr Ovens said.
Mr Ovens, who had been prepared to take on the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer if required, said he and the Board would work closely with Mr Edwards to guide the organisation while a nation-wide search for a new CEO is completed.