People news 17 July 2014
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (11 July to 17 July 2014)
Chris Sheffield to step down as Betfred Digital MD
Million-2-1 founder will leave Betfred at the end of August after three and a half years in charge
Betfred Digital managing director Chris Sheffield is to leave the operator after three and a half years’ service.
Sheffield, who has been responsible for expanding the bookmaker’s online business since he joined in 2011, will depart at the end of August to explore new opportunities.
A successor has not yet been named, however eGR understands the selection process is underway and an internal option is preferred. Betfred staff were informed of Sheffield’s decision to leave on Monday.
Under Sheffield’s tenure Betfred’s UK-focussed online business has demonstrated strong growth, while a mobile-first Australian brand was launched in June.
Rank appoints Will Hill’s Cole-Johnson as digital chief
The Rank Group’s new chief executive Henry Birch has kicked-off his reorganisation of the company after appointing former William Hill colleague Colin Cole-Johnson to head up Rank’s digital division.
Cole-Johnson, who had previously been William Hill’s director of egaming, will take up the newly created position of director of digital and cross-channel services on 24 September as part of a revamp of Rank’s online strategy.
Reporting directly into Birch, Cole-Johnson will be responsible for the operator’s digital activity and will work alongside Mecca managing director Mark Jones and Grosvenor Casinos managing director Phil Urban. Cole-Johnson will also take up a seat on the Rank Group Executive Committee.
Seven days in people news:
Former Ladbrokes head of mobile joins Camelot
Ladbrokes’ former head of mobile Claire Barry has joined National Lottery operator Camelot as its new head of digital strategy and planning.
Barry started in the new role earlier this month and will be working on Camelot’s digital products and report directly to the firm’s head of digital products and services Rob Beattie.
“We are delighted to welcome Claire to our team,” Beattie said. “Her wealth of experience is a great asset at what is a very exciting time for the UK National Lottery “ particularly when the focus on innovation, growth and enhanced customer relationships in the digital space has never been stronger.”
Lawton leaves Betfred online marketing post
Betfred is on the hunt for a new head of online marketing after Adele Lawton exited the firm after just six months.
Former Playtech commercial director Lawton, who spent three years as head of the Jackpotjoy brand at Gamesys, was recruited to the role in November.
eGR understands Betfred is in the midst of a marketing reshuffle and recruitment drive as it looks to more tightly integrate its online and offline presence.
Marco Scala named CEO of new GTECH/IGT entity
GTECH is to acquire Las Vegas-based slot machine maker International Game Technology (IGT) for approximately US$6.4bn (£3.7m), creating a global gaming giant with combined revenues of around $6bn.
The deal will see Italian lottery operator GTECH pay $4.7bn in cash and stock while it will also assume $1.7bn of IGT net debt. A new UK-headquartered holding company, referred to as NewCo, will be set up and listed on New York Stock Exchange.
Current GTECH chief executive Marco Sala will become NewCo CEO and will serve on a board of directors consisting of IGT chairman Phil Satre, who will take up the same role, and current IGT CEO Patti Hart who will serve as vice-chairman.