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March 20 (Reuters) - Australian casino operator Star Entertainment Group SGR.AX said on Friday it has appointed HC Charles Diao as group chief financial officer, marking another leadership addition from U.S.-based Bally's Corporation BALY.N.
Diao, currently senior vice president of finance and corporate treasurer at Bally's, will succeed Frank Krile, who stepped down as CFO of Star Entertainment at the end of December.
Diao's appointment follows the December appointments of Bruce Mathieson Jr as CEO and Soo Kim, chair of Bally's, as chairman of Star's board.
The Mathieson family and Bally's are Star's largest shareholders, holding stakes of about 23% and 38%, respectively, and have played a key role in backing a rescue of the Australian casino group as it neared bankruptcy.
Diao will be instrumental to stabilise the business, strengthen governance settings, and position the company for long-term performance, Group CEO and Managing Director Bruce Mathieson Jnr said.
His appointment as CFO is subject to completion of regulatory and ministerial approvals, Star added.
The embattled Australian casino operator on Friday confirmed several key executive appointments, including Tom Boyd as interim group chief legal officer, John Koster as CEO of The Star Sydney, and David Whimpey as interim CEO of The Star Brisbane.
(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
((Sherin.Sunny@thomsonreuters.com;))