More senior CA staff defect to Perth stadium

Mike McKenna's departure as operations chief at Cricket Australia has led to another exit, with the long-serving head of events, Chris Loftus-Hills, also quitting to help McKenna oversee Perth's new stadium.

In more than a decade at CA, Loftus-Hills pulled together events at a moment's notice, and managed such intricate functions as ticket sales and the back-end production of international matches, among other things.

He joins the Perth Stadium team having already worked in collaboration with the Western Australia government and builders to prepare cricket facilities at the stadium, including the drop-in pitches to be used at the multi-purpose venue. It is set to host Perth's Ashes Test next summer.

"I am excited to be joining Mike McKenna and the team that will bring to life the new Perth Stadium and deliverworld-class sport and entertainment events," Loftus-Hills said. "My time at Cricket Australia has been a wonderful journey filled with incredible experiences. I would like to thank both Mike McKenna and James Sutherland who have given me such unique opportunities and supported me faultlessly during this time.

"It has been a pleasure to build programs and develop an outstanding team that delivers events for a sport that I am deeply passionate about and that is so important to so many Australians. I am very fortunate to be able to take with me a decade of special memories. I am very much looking forward to working with all the major sporting codes and other hirers to deliver a premium fan experience in a world-class facility that the people of Perth are going to be immensely proud of."

The departure of Loftus-Hills contributes further to a significant drain of talent from the governing body, which in the past 12 months has lost a broad selection of staff from a wide variety of roles at its Jolimont headquarters. These include:

Executive general manager (EGM) of business and advisory services
EGM of operations
Head of HR
Head of communications
Two women's team communications managers
Legal counsel
Two managers of schools and junior participation programs
Community relations manager
Hospitality manager
Internal communications manager
Big Bash League commercial manager

There are believed to have been a range of difficulties faced by staff beneath senior executive levels for some time, contributing to the high turnover. Roles at cricket's governing body have always been in high demand, ensuring a steady flow of fresh candidates eager to take the places of those who walk away.

Some issues raised have included a lack of time off in lieu for staff, and cramped working conditions at the Jolimont office, which has served as CA's Melbourne home since 2001, albeit with expansions to its upper floors. One minor concession to staff this season has been an internal memo stating that the wearing of ties in the office is no longer mandatory.

A CA spokesperson declined to comment on Loftus-Hills' exit.