New executive team to lead Aristocrat

Details of the strategy will be shared with the market at the time of the company’s half year results on August 25, 2009.

Joining the Aristocrat executive leadership team are -subject to regulatory approval where relevant- :

Toni Korsanos, CFO (Chief Financial Officer). He joined Aristocrat in 2007 as General Manager, Group Finance and has almost 20 years’ experience in financial and general management at companies including Kellogg’s Australia New Zealand and Goodman Fielder Ltd. He brings to the executive team a detailed knowledge of the business and appropriate continuity, together with first class technical and strategic skills.

Julius Patta, Chief Technology Officer. Julius has extensive hands-on experience in software engineering, game design and development and has led a number of leading edge gaming operations and technology businesses in North America, Australia and Europe. Julius’ appointment reflects the critical importance of technology to Aristocrat’s future and ensures the executive team has technical skill and capability of the highest calibre. He will be based in the United States.

Sam Nickless, Business Transformation Director. He has over 15 years’ experience leading complex strategic change programs, most recently at the National Australia Bank and previously with McKinsey & Company in Australia and in the United States. Nickless will provide the expert program leadership and commercial skills required to drive the execution of our turnaround strategy.

Trevor Croker, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand. His experience building high performance sales organizations, his familiarity with Aristocrat’s customer base and his marketing and general management skills will be key assets in this role. Trevor will maintain a singular and consistent focus on driving performance in these markets, in particular executing an effective turnaround strategy in key Australian jurisdictions.

Patrick McGlinchey, Chief Legal Officer & Company Secretary. He has extensive international corporate, commercial and governance experience gained in both listed companies and private practice. Previously acting in the CLO role, his appointment also ensures appropriate continuity, particularly in the management of current litigation.

Nick Khin, President Aristocrat Americas, Tony Weston, Chief Human Resources Officer, Paul Kitchin, Chief Marketing Officer and Gillian Findlay, Group Manager CEO Office, will continue in their current roles.

The research and development function will be renamed Design and Development and will continue to be led by David Hughes with the title Chief Design & Development Officer. This change reflects a new emphasis on ensuring this critical function is truly ‘player led’ and focused on delivering premium game content that excites players and operators.

Warren Jowett will take on responsibility for Aristocrat’s businesses outside the Americas and Australia / New Zealand in the new role of Managing Director, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Japan. Gareth Phillips, Chief Technology Officer, will continue with the company in a senior advisory capacity, supporting Julius Patta and ensuring technology and industry issues get appropriate visibility across the business.

“I am delighted to announce the new executive leadership team, and congratulate all team members on their appointment,” said Odell. “I am confident that we now have the right structure and the optimum blend of skills, industry experience and external perspectives to ensure we will be successful in executing our plans to lift performance to meet our potential and the expectations of our stakeholders.

“Finalizing the executive team is an early but significant step in our plans to grow our business and create long-term sustainable shareholder value. “The team I’m announcing today significantly increases our bench strength in the critical areas of technology, strategic project management and marketing. This will underpin our work to become a truly player led, technology driven business with a much sharper focus on key markets and value
drivers,” Odell added.

As a result of these changes, Simon Kelly, CFO, Finance Director and Company Secretary will leave the business on 31 July 2009, while Rob McLoughlin, Executive General Manager EMEA will retire on 31 October 2009. The company will announce interim arrangements regarding the Company Secretary role before 31 July, 2009 as Patrick McGlinchey’s appointment is subject to regulatory approval.

“On behalf of the business I sincerely thank Simon and Rob for their 6 and 16 years of service respectively and wish them every success in their future endeavours,” said Odell. He concluded, “I look forward to working with the new executive team to lead our ambitious and important change agenda at Aristocrat.”