Flutter UK and Ireland CEO steps aside for career break

Flutter Entertainment has confirmed the resignation of UK & Ireland CEO Conor Grant, who has chosen to take a planned career break from the gambling industry.

Grant exits the London-listed operator after more than 17 years with Flutter, having served in his CEO role since June 2020, to spend more time with his family.

A former Paddy Power shop manager, Grant previously spent 10 years working for Flutter’s Sky Betting and Gaming (SBG) subsidiary in various roles including head of sportsbook product management before assuming a number of directorial level roles at the Leeds-based bookmaker.

Grant’s positions include director of sportsbook, and gaming and product roles, prior to his advancement to the role of MD of SBG in August 2016. He most recently served as COO of SBG between October 2018 and taking up the reins as UK & Ireland CEO in July 2020.

A veteran of the sector, Grant also held leadership roles at Irish bookmaker BoyleSports and one of the first leading internet operators, Blue Square.

At Flutter, Grant has been responsible for leading the company’s response to the forthcoming white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review, implementing a number of changes across the firm’s operational areas.

Flutter Entertainment CEO Peter Jackson praised Grant for his “significant contribution” to the group’s business.

“His work on the strategic vision and direction of our UK&I business has set us in great stead for the future, and his passion and determination to put our customers’ safety at the heart of what we do has anchored our industry-leading Play Well strategy,” Jackson explained.

Jackson added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Conor and will personally miss his sound commercial judgement and keen eye for business opportunities. I’m sorry to see him leave but wish him well for the future.

Speaking about his time with Flutter, Grant said he had been “immensely proud” to oversee the UK & Ireland business during his tenure.

“Flutter’s market leading brands, talented team and approach to safer gambling are what sets the business apart. I have no doubt that the business is in good hands and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow sustainably and responsibly into the future.”

Grant played a pivotal role in the development of Flutter UK & Ireland’s safer gambling strategy, which includes the group’s triple step affordability measures, inclusive of a monthly £500 net deposit cap for UK & Ireland customers under the age of 25 across its Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet brands.

Under the cap, players with provably higher income and resultant higher-level spending will be required to pass through a detailed checking process before an alternative limit can be set.

In February, Flutter unveiled its five-pillar safer gambling strategy as a compliment to these measures.

Later that month, the firm launched the “Play Well” aspect of this strategy, which is focused on customer safety.

Flutter has set a target of 2030 of at least 75% of all active customers globally will be using one or more of the firm’s Play Well safer gambling tools. Its aim is to have more than half using at least one by 2026.

Earlier this year, Grant spoke exclusively to EGR to discuss the safer gambling protocols his brands have introduced to create sustainable businesses.

Grant’s replacement has been confirmed as former Booking.com CEO Ian Brown, who will join the company in September.

Brown will assume responsibility for the Paddy Power, SBG, Betfair and Tombola brands in the UK & Ireland, with Grant staying on to support his replacement during a transition period.

A former senior partner at consultancy firm Oliver Wyman, Brown spent five years as CEO of car rental site Rentalcars.com, before joining Booking.com as CEO of the BookingGo business in January 2018, spending just under two years in the role.

He most recently served as CEO of Manchester-based technology services provider UKFast.