TAB NZ announces new executive team to lead new racing era

TAB New Zealand (TAB NZ), the new state-run agency overseeing New Zealand’s horseracing wagering and its allocation of funding, has unveiled its new executive leadership team.

The agency will be led by Dean Mckenzie as Chairman, the executive who led the development of TAB NZ under his remit to oversee the interim ‘Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA)’ – a special unit placed in charge of overhauling New Zealand’s racing regulatory structures.   

Mckenzie will lead a  team of five executives overseeing the implementation of New Zealand racing’s new regulatory frameworks, designed to address key areas covering wagering, broadcast rights, racetrack operations, corporate governance and finance.  

RITA transition executives Jessica Meech and Sam Moncur will maintain their respective positions as General Counsel and General Finance Manager for TAB NZ, with Meech taking on the additional responsibilities for governance services. 

Meanwhile, TAB NZ wagering operations will be led by former Tom Waterhouse executive Glenn Saville, who will serve as General Manager for Customer and Betting. 

The planned overhaul of New Zealand racing’s broadcast rights will be led by former Harness Racing CEO Edward Rennell, who will join TAB NZ executive team in full capacity having previously served as a consultant to the RITA transition team.

TAB NZ has yet to confirm the appointment of its Chief Executive, with Mckenzie fulfilling leadership duties on an interim basis.

Updating stakeholders, Mckenzie informed that TAB NZ’s immediate focus would be to ensure financial stability for racing and support its workforce in light of the economic challenges presented by the coronavirus.