Betfred.com appoints new commercial head
Russell Young succeeds new online MD Rakesh Chablani as Betfred.com commercial director
Betfred.com has promoted head of commercials Russell Young to the position of commercial director, replacing new online MD Rakesh Chablani.
Young’s appointment, which was announced to staff on Friday afternoon, will see him assume responsibility for Betfred.com’s commercial operations as well as the operator’s application for a new UK operating licence.
His promotion to the role comes after predecessor Chablani was chosen to replace Betfred’s outgoing managing director Chris Sheffield earlier this month.
Young told eGaming Review he was already familiar with the commercial role, having worked alongside Chablani in finalising contracts with some of Betfred’s main third-party suppliers, such as Playtech, GTECH, IGT and Bally Technologies.
“My main focus for the past two years has been ensuring the company gets the best value from our agreements with our providers and I have been working closely with Rakesh to achieve that,” Young said.
“It’s something that I’m looking forward to taking on full-time,” he added. “A change is always a good thing “ it helps to reenergise and give you that extra bit of motivation.”
Young joined Betfred in November 2009 from Stan James as head of games and bingo before moving to head of products and then to his most recent role of head of commercials.
His immediate task will be to ensure Betfred completes the necessary processes in applying for a new UK operating licence ahead of the 16 September deadline before his attention will then turn to new supplier and partnership opportunities.
His promotion is the latest in a succession of personnel changes at Betfred in recent weeks with former retail director John Haddock last month handed the Betfred Group CEO role following 30-years’ Betfred service.