Ex Tabcorp, The Star and banking executive Rebecca Riant will head the state peak body.
ClubsNSW has appointed ex Tabcorp and former banking executive Rebecca Riant as chief executive officer of the peak state body. Chairman Dr George Peponis OAM and the ClubsNSW Board of Directors confirmed Riant’s appointment following a board meeting. She will start 24 July 2023.
“I have a deep appreciation for the integral role that clubs play in their communities right across the state, particularly in regional areas,” Riant said.
“Clubs combat social isolation by providing a comfortable, safe environment for people to connect; they support tens of thousands of jobs all over NSW; and they are always the first to step up and offer food, shelter and a helping hand during times of crisis.
“It is a fantastic industry, and I am honoured and proud to have been appointed as CEO of ClubsNSW. I can’t wait to start.”
Riant has extensive experience as an executive for Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank. She was Tabcorp’s Executive General Manager for Sustainability, Markets and Customer Experience Delivery for two years before moving into the role of Tabcorp’s Chief Operating Officer of Wagering and Media. In September 2022, Ms Riant joined The Star Sydney as their Chief Controls and Enablement Officer (NSW) before taking on the role of Chief Controls Officer for The Star Entertainment Group in January 2023.
“Rebecca brings over 30 years of experience in banking, strategy formulation and execution, regulatory liaison, and transformational change to our Association and the broader club industry,” Dr Peponis said.
“The Board and I are looking forward to working with Rebecca to guide the industry through these challenging times and onward into a sustainable future, where we will continue to support and care for our communities.
“As a highly principled, engaging leader, Rebecca is the ideal person to have at the helm of the Association and consulting with all of our major stakeholders,” he said.
Her appointment follows the sacking of Josh Landis in January, prior to the NSW state election in March, over inflammatory comments Landis made over the religious beliefs of then NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet influencing his decisions over gaming.