Danske Spil appoints new CEO
Susanne Mørch Koch to join state-owned operator in April next year
Danske Spil has chosen Susanne Mørch Koch to lead the company from 1 April next year following the departure of current CEO Hans Christian Madsen.
Mørch Koch joins from the Danish state-owned rail operator DSB, where she has been the chief commercial officer since March 2013.
She replaces Hans Christian Madsen who announced he would step down in early June.
“We believe we have chosen the best candidate for the job as CEO,” said Danske Spil chairman Peter Gæmelke.
“Susanne comes from a state-owned enterprise, so it is not strange for her to work in a company on these terms. At the same time she holds a wide range of qualities that will benefit Danske Spil as an organization,” Gæmelke added.
Mørch Koch, who was educated at Harvard Business School, is currently on the board of three companies, including the Danish arm of convenience store 7-11.
Prior to her current role at DSB, she worked in business development and was a bid director in the company’s M&A arm.
“Danske Spil is facing very exciting developments in the coming years, and developments I am pleased to be a part of,” said Mørch Koch.
“I take up my position while Danish Games are in the process of rolling out an ambitious 2020 strategy, and I look forward to continue developing that and helping make it into reality,” she added.
However, her background in M&A and lack of gaming experience will no doubt fuel rumours that Danske Spil might be heading for part-privatisation, with the sportsbook and gaming arms to be potentially sold off.