People news 1 May 2014
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (25 April to 1 May 2014)
William Hill Australia set for management overhaul
Talks with long-standing Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan taking place, with COO also reported to be stepping down
William Hill’s Australian business looks set for a major change in senior management with the UK-based firm in talks with its Australia CEO Michael Sullivan, and reports suggesting both he and the COO are about to step down.
“We can confirm that William Hill, and Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan are in discussions about the future of the leadership of the Australian operations,” the operator said in statement.
The Sydney Morning Herald this week reported Sullivan “ who became chief executive of William Hill Australia at the time of its purchase of Sportingbet last year “ and COO Anthony Waller could be on their way out of the business with immediate effect.
Sullivan, who has overseen Sportingbet Australia since it opened a betting shop in the Northern Territory in 2002, was tasked by William Hill CEO Ralph Topping to turn the Australia business a success.
Bwin.party shareholders advised to reject SpringOwl proposals
Bwin.party has spoken out against the Board nominations made by activist investor SpringOwl, recommending that its shareholders reject them at next month’s AGM.
Led by former US gaming analyst Jason Ader, SpringOwl made four nominations to the operator’s Board earlier this month, after claiming that bwin.party CEO Norbert Teufelberger should “surround himself with better talent”.
Ader owns a 5.25% shareholding in bwin.party and has been vocal in his criticism of the firm’s management and strategic decisions in recent years.
Seven days in people news:
Health Lottery not seeking new CEO
The Health Lottery will not be appointing direct replacements for the recently departed pair of CEO Dominic Mansour and COO David Wall, eGaming Review understands.
According to sources, the Northern & Shell subsidiary will instead be sharing the responsibilities out amongst those already within the Group, which also includes companies such as Express Newspapers and Channel 5.
Mansour, who joined the company in January 2013, resigned from his role in February and this month took up the position of managing director at poker giant Full Tilt.
Akamon unveils company shake-up
Social casino developer and publisher Akamon has announced a wave of company changes with the launch of an Israeli games studio and new chief product officer to lead its mobile charge.
The Southern Europe and Latin America-facing company’s new office in Tel Aviv becomes its third game studio in addition to its operations in Barcelona and Valencia.
The new studio of 10 staff members will be led the company’s Israel head of studio Zvika Alon, previously head of product at 888.com, who will report to Akamon’s new chief product officer.
Camelot CEO to retire amid Group restructuring
Lottery operator Camelot has announced its long-serving chief executive Diane Thompson is to retire on 31 October as the company prepares to divide itself up into two separate entities.
Over the next six months the Group will split the company into “two clear functions”, with one division set to concentrate on UK growth and the other tasked with focusing on international opportunities.
Andy Duncan, who has been managing director of the UK business since 2011, will become CEO of Camelot UK Lotteries while Nigel Railton, the current Group CFO and strategy director, will take on the position of Camelot Global Services CEO.