Who didn’t make Sydney’s Power 100 list in 2021?
It’s not just who made The Daily Telegraph’s Power 100 list in 2021 that’s interesting — but the Sydney high flyers who didn’t. These are the big names who got the axe.
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Even more interesting than who made it onto The Daily Telegraph’s Power 100 list in 2021 are those who didn’t.
The biggest name to lose his spot is Crown’s James Packer who last year sat at number 12.
A disastrous appearance before the NSW casino inquiry culminated in Commissioner Patricia Bergin describing his behaviour as “intolerable”.
Crown had to sever ties to show a reduction in his influence. The removal of the Crown directors nominated to the board by Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings was the necessary first step for his gleaming $2.2 billion tower at Barangaroo to begin the journey to gaining a casino licence.
Another high flyer who has lost his spot is former Nine chief executive Hugh Marks, who sensationally quit in November after reports of a relationship with a staff member.
Last year he was at number 35 on the Power 100 list but after announcing “I have decided the time is right for me to begin the process of moving on” he also moved on from there too.
Also in the media Cathy O’Connor (number 76 last year) quit her job as chief executive Nova while Paul Anderson (79 last year) quit his job at the top of Channel 10.
Last year comedian Celeste Barber wielded enormous influence in ninth spot on the list after raising millions for bushfire victims.
Unfortunately she bungled the wording, which meant the $51 million could only be used by the Rural Fire Service rather than the victims she wanted it to go to. After lengthy talks the fireys on the ground decided where to spend the money and Barber has gone back to making ads for audio books.
Other lost spots have been less dramatic. In the world of sport, basketballer Andrew Bogut (31 last year) retired and swimmers Cate and Bronte Campbell (84 last year) moved to Queensland.
In business Westfield boss Frank Lowy (25 last year) retired and moved to Israel while Lendlease boss Steve McCann (88 last year) was hit by sinking profits and a sinking suburb.
Academic Michael Spence (66 last year), University of Sydney vice chancellor, moved to London.
The election miracle team (61 last year) who delivered Scott Morrison victory did not have an election to save and the CBD milk crate heroes (81 last year) happily had a quieter year.
Hollywood power couple Hugh Jackman and Deborah Lee Furness (24 last year) have had a low profile year that has seen them eclipsed by other big names from Hollywood including Nicole Kidman and Liam Hemsworth. Expect them back next year.
The pandemic also took its toll. Olivia Wirth and Paul Howes (52 last year) saw their influence vanish with Qantas flights. Food industry power team Matt Moran and Bruce Solomon (36) lost their spot because of a lack of patrons for much of the year.
There are others who made way for new powerbrokers including singer Ruel (99 last year) who was, er, also ruled out.
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