Jackpotjoy CEO Andy McIver departs
McIver to leave London-listed firm in January, with board looking for more “operational expertise”
Jackpotjoy plc (JPJ) CEO Andy McIver is to step down from his role following a restructuring of the company’s management team, it was announced today.
JPJ said the board had decided “further operational expertise was needed” to ensure the company reached its growth prospects.
The company also said the decision was made in agreement with McIver after “several months of careful consideration”, with the exec to leave the firm on 31 January 2018.
McIver’s responsibilities will be taken over in part by chairman Neil Goulden, who will become executive chairman, responsible for long-term strategy.
The board has also appointed Simon Wykes, the former chief executive of Gala Leisure, as group managing director.
His main role will be working in the company’s global markets with the senior management teams across each of the Company’s three business segments – Jackpotjoy, Vera&John, and Mandalay; and he will also join the board.
Both appointments will become effective from 1 November 2017.
Wykes has just completed an external consultancy role with Ladbrokes Coral on their merger integration plans, and was formerly MD at Gala Coral Group, where he oversaw the strategic turnaround plan of its bingo division.
He also served as managing director of Rank Group for over four years.
Jackpotjoy plc chairman Neil Goulden said: “Simon is a highly-experienced executive with an extensive knowledge of the bingo sector and considerable expertise in managing high-volume consumer businesses.
“His experience in the digitalisation of gaming businesses will be invaluable in achieving synergies across our main business segments and to drive the future growth of the group.”
Goulden added: “On behalf of the Board, I would also like to thank Andy for the commitment, leadership and integrity he showed during his tenure, which has seen Jackpotjoy plc cement itself as the world’s largest online bingo-led company following its successful listing on the London Stock Exchange. We wish him well with his future endeavours.”
McIver joined Jackpotjoy last year as part of a major overhaul that saw the firm change its name and list on the London Stock exchange.
Wykes added: “I am thrilled by this new challenge at Jackpotjoy plc and look forward to bringing my experience from leading digital gaming businesses to the Company as well as significant operational experience to market leading brands.”
JPJ added its strong trading had continued into Q3 and expected to report numbers at the upper end of market expectations.