Official - John Allen - new CEO NZRB

[Guest 2Admin2]

That's the word.

[horseboy 13]

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing/KL30863/Leading-diplomat-confirmed-as-new-Racing-Board-CEO

[Guest 2Admin2]

Geez anyone actively involved in the industry may as well pack their saddles away now. Hughes reckons the main challenges are international wagering (leakage) and broadcasting rights.

[Sodor 1]

Don't underestimate this man. He is very very clever and one who does not suffer fools gladly.

If any one can make a difference, John Allen can. Could be some dramatic changes coming up.

[Guest 2Admin2]

Don't underestimate this man. He is very very clever and one who does not suffer fools gladly.

If any one can make a difference, John Allen can. Could be some dramatic changes coming up.

I hope you are right however Hughes isn't pointing him in the right direction to start with.

[scooby3051 10,915]

 Can someone please tell me how in the hell can a Politician/Diplomat be the best guy to run racing???? Or am I missing something here???

[crustyngrizzly 1,701]

Met this guy in my previous employment and came across as a good and decent man.He appeared to be genuinely interest in what we did at the coal face and when he left to pursue a diplomatic career there was much disappointnent.

The above doesn't mean he will be a success but i think he will give it his best shot or die trying.

[Midget 4,489]

He is a pretty high profile civil servant, this looks like a side ward step for him in career terms

Who would have recruited and appointed him, Nathan Guy must have had a big say, can't imagine Glenda Hughes doing the selecting, as he is higher up the pecking order than her?? 

 

He is a pretty high profile civil servant, this looks like a side ward step for him in career terms

Who would have recruited and appointed him, Nathan Guy must have had a big say, can't imagine Glenda Hughes doing the selecting, as he is higher up the pecking order than her?? 

Hesi,it may be a side ways in as so far of profile,but he was on 600k for the Ministry and that now increases to 900k plus,so that is a clear upwards movement.

[Turny 1,224]

His two issues are external matters

The commanding concern is internal - reducing costs - or "unwinding" as Glenda often says.

Live in hope that the internal issue will be item 1 on page 1. It simply has to be

[Ohokaman 5,840]

Another disaster waiting to happen.

The job "will be fun" ....really ?? Just like the last one ? MFAT staff would probably disagree...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/63550107/mfats-john-allen-off-to-nz-racing-board.html

[puha 2,177]

Surely the NZRB can see where the Commonsense area is to start saving money and redistributing to the grassroots.Oil the machinery please!

[TOM(the other Molloy) 1,774]

He was a hatchet man at MFAT though?

 

Might be a good thing when it comes to eliminating the freeloaders at NZRB and beyond

[Insider 3,960]

It must be a political appointment, which is bad from the lack of Racing background, but look on the bright side Leigh, the Government have signaled their intent to keep a closer eye on WTF is going on in Racing

If they want to keep a closer eye on WYF is going on in racing then all they need to do is get a racehorse and attend a few meetings. Or try and find a TAB to have a bet in. Just my view.

[Ashoka 1,179]

Mr Allen states

 

"The NZ Racing Board is a $2 billion business..."

 

Really?

 

Regards.

Ashoka

[Trump 2,741]

Maybe Hughes was laying the ground with that statement??

[meomy 971]

If John Allen has been contracted on a similar unrealistic package rate as Chris Bayliss & those immediately prior to him would be absurd.

For a start, doesn't John Allen normally reside in Wellington?

We understand when he was CEO of NZ Post he was based there.

JA would not need the same Hotel Intercontinental accommodation or weekly flights between Auckland & Wellington as Bayliss did.

We trust John Allen will be proactive and address the use of Social Media by staff as much of it is nonsense that is posted by the staff employed at NZRB, retweeted tweets - where is the originality and self motivation in tweeting something new & relevant to the industry?

[meomy 971]

Does anyone know what John Allen's official starting date is?

One of the links earlier in this topic says he's at MFAT until January & the other media link says he's starting on March 2, 2015 which will be as Auckland Cup week commences.

If it is March 2 that may raise a few concerns as to work ethics.

[rdytdy 5,343]

As long as his number one focus is on profitability (rather than turnover as the recents CEO's have done) then it will be a good appointment.

 

Grand standing record turnover's without corresponding profit having been generated is like pissing into the wind.

 

We need to see a real shake up in NZRB expenditure and staffing numbers. Lets hope it happens as soon as possible.

[crustyngrizzly 1,701]

One thing he was proactive about at MFAT was getting rid of deadwood.

[Don't You Believe It 93]

Hesi,it may be a side ways in as so far of profile,but he was on 600k for the Ministry and that now increases to 900k plus,so that is a clear upwards movement.

 

Don't be so sure - perhaps a lower base 600k with heavy rewards for profit increases?  At Post he was on close to $1.2m when he left?  Annual report 2009.

 

How hard is it to come in a sack a whole lot of non-performing executives?

[Don't You Believe It 93]

Interesting article about the TAB and Surfing

 

TAB announces Surfing backing

 

25th Feb 2014

From today people can back their favourite surfer on the professional World Tour of Surfing, with New Zealand surfing’s governing body Surfing NZ and the sport here in general standing to benefit.

“Adding surfing to our portfolio fits neatly with our vision to be the best entertainment business for New Zealand,” said Monique Cairns, Executive General Manager Strategy and Transformation, of the New Zealand Racing Board. “Surfing followers and other sports punters can now see if they can pick the form surfers on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour of Surfing’s global events, as well as selected New Zealand events and other selected international surfing competitions.”

 

Taranakais Paige Hareb is paying $20.00 to win the Roxy Pro to be held next Month on the Gold Coast 

“We’ve kicked off betting today with the first events on the top tier ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro on Australia’s Gold Coast, that are scheduled to start this Saturday. The best men’s and women’s surfers in the world will be there including New Zealand’s only representative on the tour, Taranakian Paige Hareb, in the women’s contest the Roxy Pro. Other big names include 11 times World Champion Kelly Slater and current World Champion Mick Fanning in the men’s contest, the Quiksilver Pro, and 5 times World Champion Stephanie Gilmore and current World Champion Carissa Moore in the women’s contest.”

“Bringing surfing on board continues our extensive tradition of support of, and engagement with, New Zealand sporting bodies and sports. In the 2012/13 financial year, the NZ Racing Board distributed nearly NZ$4,000,000.00 to 33 national sports organisations. It also provided a further $1,000,000.00 in grants and sponsorships to amateur sports clubs across many codes,” Ms Cairns said.

Surfing NZ Executive Officer Greg Townsend said, “we’re delighted to have this opportunity to partner with the TAB. Surfing NZ will receive 1% of turnover and  5% of profit from all the TAB surfing betting done here or overseas. Surfing NZ will be able to use this funding to help develop the sport of surfing in New Zealand.”

“The launch of surf betting adds another dimension to the fun people can have with surfing. Here are some of our opening odds,” Ms Cairns said.

Quiksilver Pro.                                                                     Roxy Pro

Kelly Slater                           $ 5.00                                     Carissa Moore                       $ 4.00

Mick Fanning                        $ 7.00                                     Stephanie Gilmore                  $ 5.00

John John Florence                $12.00                                Paige Hareb                           $20.00

END

* All amounts are in New Zealand dollars.

For the latest TAB odds on both events go to www.tab.co.nz

 

Source : Surfing NZ

 

This is hilarious.  Surfing.  They would be lucky to do $100k a year betting on that sport.  So enough profit to buy a few new boards?

 

How much does Cairns think she'll be writing the cheque for to Surfing NZ next year?  Carefully not scripted as she knows if is 5/8s of FA.  Her priority is to be seen to be doing something of value as new CEO climbs on board.  Good luck with that.

[Don't You Believe It 93]

As long as his number one focus is on profitability (rather than turnover as the recents CEO's have done) then it will be a good appointment.

 

Grand standing record turnover's without corresponding profit having been generated is like pissing into the wind.

 

We need to see a real shake up in NZRB expenditure and staffing numbers. Lets hope it happens as soon as possible.

 

Exactly - Expect a rash of departures before 31 July.  Cairns top of the list.  Boom!  $400k banked.  $200k extra for Wgtn and Akld Cups in 2016?

[trakdap 390]

He would have been appointed politically and this is not a bad thing, he will have an 'ear' in the running of the corridors of power.

whether he has a voice is another thing, but I expect he would.

 

So it could be pull your socks up time for a few?

[slam dunk 1,317]

Amazing how many here are wise after the event e.g. Bayliss, Brown, Typhoon etc  but not prepared to put themselves on the line before the disasters happen

 

I'll say it now appointing this guy is wrong and made on wrong assumptions. It shows all that is ugly about politics and the way a many things are done in New Zealand.

 

From Bankers now to Political Lobbyists. 

 

THe TAB is being turned into a sports funding organisation not just a racing benefactor.

Still chuckling about the "powerhouse of racing group in Wellington".   Not a jockey, trainer or breeder in sight.

[meomy 971]

John Allen is a director of Kordia until October 2015.

 

Interesting when one looks at what happened to our Free to Air Freeview Racing channel been taken off from grass roots New Zealanders

 

Kordia Group Ltd

Kordia is a telco and media business which provides network and technology solutions. Kordia owns an extensive communications network in New Zealand, and is the major provider of television and radio broadcast facilities. In Australia, Kordia provides design, build and maintenance services to the broadcast and telco sectors as well as engineering services throughout the region.

 

http://www.treasury.govt.nz/commercial/portfolio-entities/sector/media-communications/kordia-group/

 

 

Directors:

• Mr John Allen (Nov 2010 - Oct 2015)