Aristocrat Leisure Limited has announced that Hector Fernandez, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming, has resigned to join a competitor. Craig Toner, the company’s CFO and Executive Vice President of Operations, will replace him. The appointment is effective immediately, pending regulatory approvals.
- Craig Toner’s appointment follows over seven years with Aristocrat, where he held various leadership roles in Australia and the US. He served as Chief Financial Officer and later as Executive Vice President of Operations, relocating to Las Vegas three years ago. His extensive experience positions him well for this new role.
- Prior to Aristocrat, Craig Toner spent 20 years at Lion Ltd, focusing on commercial, strategy, and operational leadership. Lion Ltd is one of the largest alcohol and beverage businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Craig’s academic background includes a CPA qualification and a Bachelor of Management Studies in Accounting and Finance.
- Trevor Croker, CEO of Aristocrat Leisure, emphasized Craig’s contributions to the company’s strategic and operational initiatives. Craig has worked closely with Aristocrat’s Board and Executive Steering Committee on major projects. This experience demonstrates his readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
- Croker also highlighted Toner’s collaborative leadership style and ability to drive strategic execution. Craig’s focus on maintaining customer satisfaction and operational continuity is a key part of his mandate. The leadership transition aims to build on Aristocrat Gaming’s current momentum.
- Hector Fernandez’s tenure with Aristocrat included roles as CFO for the Americas and CEO of Aristocrat Gaming. He joined the company in 2018 and became CEO in 2022. His departure is subject to a 12-month non-compete agreement with Aristocrat.