The Lottery Corporation in Australia has announced the appointment of Wayne Pickup as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Pickup, a seasoned leader in the global lottery industry, will take over the reins from the current MD and CEO, Ms. Sue van der Merwe, who announced her retirement earlier this year.
Mr. Pickup’s appointment follows his departure from Allwyn North America, where he served as CEO for the past seven and a half years. He will commence his new role in Brisbane on November 24th. Initially, his responsibilities will involve an observational period as he awaits the necessary regulatory approvals to fully assume his duties.
Ms. van der Merwe will continue to lead The Lottery Corporation until Mr. Pickup officially takes office in the autumn. She will work closely with the board and Mr. Pickup to ensure a smooth and seamless transition of leadership. During the initial observation period, the existing Executive Leadership Team will manage day-to-day operations.
Dr. Doug McTaggart, Chairman of The Lottery Corporation, highlighted Mr. Pickup’s extensive 25 years of experience within the lottery sector. He noted Pickup’s diverse skill set, encompassing senior leadership roles in technology, product management, and game management, which provides him with a comprehensive understanding of successful lottery businesses.
Prior to his tenure at Allwyn North America, Mr. Wayne Pickup served as Chief Executive for Lotto New Zealand, demonstrating his familiarity with the Australasian lottery landscape. His new role comes with an annual base salary of just over AUS 1.5 million, along with a AUS 500,000 cash sign-on bonus.
Mr. Pickup expressed his enthusiasm for his new position, emphasizing the “tremendous potential for innovation and growth” within the Australian lottery market.
He stated his eagerness to collaborate with the talented team at The Lottery Corporation to enhance the lottery experience for millions of customers across Australia while delivering value for shareholders. Allwyn North America has begun the search for Mr. Pickup’s successor and expressed their gratitude for his contributions.
