Shake-up in Crown top ranks

Casino operator Crown is shaking up its senior management team by promoting its Perth resort boss at the expense of his Melbourne counterpart.

The James Packer-controlled company has appointed Perth casino chief Barry Felstead to head its Australian resort operations.

Mr Felstead will take on the newly created role of chief executive officer, Australian resorts, with offices in Perth and Melbourne.

He will report to Crown chief executive Rowen Craigie.

Melbourne casino boss Greg Hawkins will step down. But Mr Hawkins may provide consultancy services in the future, Crown said.

Mr Craigie said the restructure would enable it "to further optimise the synergies and performance of its two existing Australian resorts, while being positioned to capitalise on opportunities to expand its resort portfolio in Australia".

"I look forward to working closely with [Felstead] in managing all our Australian resorts, in particular, in leveraging the significant capital expenditure which is being made on these properties," he said.