Daniel Finch has been appointed to oversee the operations of the forthcoming Star Brisbane casino, currently under relocation to a new site and set to open its doors in August.
With over nine years of experience as the Managing Director of Expedia Australia, Finch brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.
He has also served in directorial and executive positions for Asia-focused travel websites.
Prior to this, he worked in sales roles at Sofitel Brisbane Central and the Constellation Hotel Group.
His career began with roles at the Carlton Crest Hotel Brisbane and the Millennium Mayfair London.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new position, Finch stated, “I am elated to be joining Star in what I believe is the most important and exciting time in the history of the business.
The opening of The Star Brisbane in 2024 will be significant not just for this business but for Queensland.
Together with the team, it will be my ambition to drive a high-performance culture, ensuring five-star services and experiences for the millions who will visit us each year.”
Finch’s appointment comes as part of an organizational restructure at Star, which is now creating property-based operational business units covering locations in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Sydney.
Jess Mellor has also been promoted to lead the Gold Coast. A CEO appointment for the Sydney venue is pending since Scot Wharton’s departure last April.
Star CEO and Managing Director Robbie Cooke expressed his excitement about Finch’s addition to the team, highlighting his leadership capabilities and experience in launching new hotels, essential for the upcoming opening of Star Brisbane and the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct.
This appointment follows the news from November that Star has been granted an additional six months to demonstrate its suitability to operate land-based casinos in Queensland, delaying a planned license suspension.
This action was taken in response to a series of failings that resulted in a AU$100.0m fine and a “unsuitable” license status for the group.
They were given a 12-month deadline to address regulatory demands, which has now been extended to May 31, 2024.
This reprieve allows Star more time to align its operations with the regulatory requirements of the Queensland authorities.