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Aussie business man James Packer has undertaken a ruthless ousting of key allies including one of his closest friends.
The reclusive billionaire, who has been topic of controversy over the past few years, appears to have trimmed his inner circle of trusted lieutenants, including former right-hand man and school friend, Ben Tilley.
Mr Tilley had been a part of the Packer family’s sphere for the past 50 years and had been a classroom pal of Mr Packer at Sydney’s upscale Cranbrook school, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
He was often spotted alongside Mr Packer, including on board Mr Packer’s $250 million superyacht IJE, which regularly hosts exclusive clientele.
Aussie billionaire James Packer (pictured right with ex-fiancé Mariah Carey) has undertaken a purge of some of his closest business allies
Most recently, Mr Tilley project-managed the construction of Packer’s grand $50million estate in the Mexican luxury resort of Cabo San Lucas.
In June 2021, Mr Tilley spent $8.9million on a ritzy apartment in the Crown Sydney tower, just a few floors above Mr Packer’s luxurious residence.
Two other associates have also reportedly been exited from Mr Packer’s tight-knit inner circle.
It is understood Guy Jalland left his position as chief executive of Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH), Mr Packer’s multibillion-dollar private investment company, ending a 35-year business relationship.
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CPH finance director Mike Johnston is also believed to be departing after 20 years.
In his biography, Mr Packer described Mr Johnston as ‘a good friend’ who had shown ‘complete loyalty to me and my family’.
Former right-hand man and school friend Ben Tilley was among those cut from Mr Packer’s inner business circle (pictured left to right is Gonzalo Pieres, Ben Tilley, James Packer and Karl Stefanovic)
Guy Jalland (right) and Mike Johnston (left) have also been dropped as Mr Packer’s business associates
Both Mr Jalland and Mr Johnston were key figures in the 2020 Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority’s (ILGA’s) probity inquiry into Packer’s $6billion Crown Resorts casino group.
Mr Packer and his associates did not respond to questions on Tuesday from the news outlet about the departures.
However, sources with knowledge of the changes said Mr Tilley and Mr Packer remained good friends and Mr Tilley’s departure was carried out amicably.
In June last year, Mr Packer, set up an ‘investment committee’ to arrange where to spend the $3.3billion he acquired after the sale of his 37 per cent stake in Crown Resorts.
He has invested money in a various enterprises, including a multimillion-dollar stake in Alan Jones’ online media company ADH TV.
Also in 2022, Mr Packer revealed he was building a resort in Barbuda with Hollywood legend Robert De Niro.
