New Zealand’s Racing Industry Transitional Authority (RITA) has strengthened its executive leadership team (ELT) after confirming the appointments of Jessica Meech and Sam Moncur.
Meech will join the company’s executive team as its new General Counsel on a secondment basis, transitioning from her role as Head of Risk & Regulatory Affairs.
Meanwhile, Moncur will serve as the leadership team’s new general finance manager, also on a secondment basis. Moncur is currently RITA’s head of media operations and commercial development.
“Our ELT values diversity of thought and leadership, and Meech and Moncur’s skills and understanding of the business and its people will be invaluable as full participating members of the ELT – particularly as we transition to, and become, TAB NZ,” RITA said.
Earlier this year, the racing body confirmed that it had begun the search for the first chief executive of TAB NZ, following the reform of the country’s racing sector.
The search has been carried out by executive recruitment specialists Caldwell Partners, which has been asked to find a candidate with “proven experience in Australasia across the wagering, gaming or similar sectors”.
The new recruit will take over from John Allen, who confirmed his resignation at the end of last year. Dean McKenzie has taken up the position of interim CEO, and will hold the role from January until June 2020 to oversee RITA’s transformation into TAB NZ until a new CEO is hired.
According to RITA, McKenzie’s ‘appointment to Executive Chair will ensure RITA maintains the momentum of significant urgent reform required to revitalise racing, while providing continuity and stability in the management of the day to day activities of the TAB’.