Exclusive: GVC appoints new Ladbrokes Coral CMO as Tel Aviv office shuts down
LCL's Israeli office will close by December 2019 as Dominic Grounsell arrives in newly-created marketing position
GVC today appointed industry outsider Dominic Grounsell to the newly-created role of CMO for UK sports brands amid a marketing reshuffle that will see Ladbrokes Coral’s (LCL) Tel Aviv office close down.
Grounsell has held senior marketing roles in the ecommerce and finance sector for almost 20 years and will be responsible for growing LCL’s sports brands across its retail and digital business.
Grounsell, who has previously worked for Unilever, BT and Neilson Financial Services, will be tasked with taking the lead on marketing functions at LCL from the operator’s Gibraltar office.
The CMO for UK sports brands position has been created as part of an ongoing strategic integration process following GVC’s £4bn acquisition of LCL in March 2018.
As a result of the integration, LCL’s Tel Aviv office will permanently close by the end of the year, with approximately 140 marketing and tech employees facing relocation or redundancy.
The operator has pledged to offer effected staff the opportunity to relocate or apply for different roles “wherever possible”. All existing marketing roles will be migrated to Gibraltar, while specific tech opportunities are available in GVC’s Hyderabad office in India.
A GVC spokesperson said: “Where this is not possible, we are committed to ensuring colleagues are treated fairly and compassionately with practical assistance provided to take the next steps in their careers.”
As part of the reshuffle, Noel Hamill will leave the business. Hamill previously led LCL’s marketing functions after being appointed CMO in February 2018.
The operator has promised that no other marketing roles will be affected by the changes, with existing marketing teams continuing with their same remit under the leadership of newcomer Grounsell.
Dominic Grounsell
Grounsell said: “I am very excited to be joining GVC and to have the opportunity to drive two of the UK’s best-known sports betting and gaming brands.
“Marketing is very much at the heart of the business and I am looking forward to working with the team to deliver the ambitious growth agenda.”
EGR Intel understands that GVC has no current plans to review any further office locations, including its existing GVC Tel Aviv office, where its Casino Club/IOG brand operations will remain.