Report: Flutter Entertainment begins search for new chairman
FTSE 100 operator hires headhunting specialists Russell Reynolds Associates to aid in the search for Gary McGann’s replacement
Flutter Entertainment has begun to sound out new candidates to replace Gary McGann as chairman of the online powerhouse.
According to Sky News, the FTSE 100 operator has employed the services of executive search firm Russel Reynolds Associates to aid in the hunt for McGann’s successor.
Holly Keller Koeppel, senior independent director at the operator, is in charge of the search for the next chairman.
McGann originally joined the Flutter board in November 2014 and was made chairman of Paddy Power in 2015 ahead of the merger with Betfair.
During his time as chairman, Paddy Power Betfair merged with The Stars Group, which established Flutter Entertainment as one of the world’s most valuable gambling companies, with the group currently valued at £20.8bn and ranked among the top 30 London-listed companies.
Andy Higginson had previously been talked up as a potential successor, but he stepped down from Flutter’s board last year to become the chairman of sports clothing brand JD Sports.
The operator is also awaiting the arrival of new chief financial officer (CFO) Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson in March, who will replace existing group CFO Jonathan Hill, who is taking the role of group chief operating officer.
Edgecliffe-Johnson joins from hospitality giant InterContinental Hotels Group, where he has been holding the dual role of CFO and group head of strategy.
He will also assume an executive director role working in support of Flutter CEO Peter Jackson.