The sudden resignation of a CEO would normally rattle investors. But judging by the fairly stable share price last week, Sun International shareholders don’t seem overly worried that David Coutts-Trotter has taken his chips off the boardroom table.

Shareholders canvassed by the FM suggest that while Coutts Trotter is one of the toughest operators in the local gaming sector, Sun International has sufficient senior management to fall back on.

Also, it is apparent that Coutts-Trotter who replaced Peter Bacon as CEO in 2006 — really did resign for personal reasons. (He was not available for comment.) The market seems relieved that no operational hitches informed this key change to Sun International’s leadership.

Sun International’s latest trading statement indicates nothing, operationally, that might have sparked Coutts-Trotter’s decision. In fact, local operations performed in line with expectations and the new Chilean operation, for which CouttsTrotter can take much credit, appears to be making encouraging progress.

The CE position will be temporarily filled by gaming operations director Garth Collins, a Sun International veteran.

Investors seem content with Collins holding the fort but the company is hunting for a new CEO.

Some market watchers are already tipping former Gold Reef Resorts CEO Steven Joffe.

Joffe is one of the most respected gaming executives in SA, having built up Gold Reef Resorts from scratch into one of the most profitable casino-owning companies in SA.

He left when Gold Reef Resorts executives were offered lesser positions after the merger with larger gaming rival Tsogo Sun in 2010.

Joffe is currently under a restraint of trade agreement, but the restraint, effective for a year only, ends in February 2012.