He joins the Australian operator from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), where most recently he served as a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team as Group Executive, Program Delivery.

There, Wharton was responsible for leading bank-wide transformation efforts, such as the design and implementation of the company’s response to the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority’s 2018 Prudential Inquiry Report into governance, culture and accountability.

In his new role, he will report to The Star Entertainment Group’s incoming CEO and Managing Director Robbie Cooke.

Interim Chairman Ben Heap commented: “Scott has exemplary credentials as we drive a Renewal Program across the group. The work he led at CBA has been recognised as one of the most comprehensive reforms of corporate culture in Australia.

“His leadership capabilities, expertise in delivering significant transformation working closely with regulators, together with his commercial skills and experience managing complex businesses, made him the ideal candidate to take on this key position within the organisation.

“Scott has broad business experience. He has led large teams and managed multifaceted change programs with significant budgets in the United States and Asia as well as Australia. We are delighted to have him join The Star at this important juncture.”

Wharton has held several board positions and is currently Co-Chairman of Supply Nation, as well as being a member of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Board. 

“I am looking forward to joining The Star at this critical moment in its history,” said Wharton. “The Star plays an important role in the economies of NSW and Qld as a major employer and catalyst for the states’ tourism industries.

“I look forward to working closely with the team at The Star, as well as regulators and other stakeholders.”