A group of Tabcorp shareholders led by Investors Mutual boss Anton Tagliaferro wrote to the lotteries and wagering giant’s board calling for renewal just weeks before Thursday’s announcement chairman Paula Dwyer and chief executive David Attenborough would retire.

While Ms Dwyer’s retirement had been well flagged, Mr Attenborough’s was a surprise. He will leave in the first half of calendar 2021, after a global search for his successor.