Gala Coral hires former Playtech COO Shay Segev
Segev joins major Playtech client as chief strategy officer two months after leaving supplier
Gala Coral has appointed former Playtech COO Shay Segev to the role of chief strategy officer, eGaming Review has learned.
Segev, who left the technology supplier in April, took up his position with Gala Coral at the end of June and has been tasked with advancing the company’s multi-channel-powered growth strategy.
“We are delighted to welcome Shay Shegev to Gala Coral,” Simon Clare, Coral PR director, told eGR.
“Gala Coral is determined to lead the industry in terms of multi-channel developments and Shay’s experience at Playtech and Videobet makes him perfectly qualified to lead our multi-channel activities,” he added.
The move will see Segev reacquainted with the operator – in 2011 he played an instrumental role securing a 10-year deal between Playtech and Gala Coral and subsequently worked closely with the Gala Coral board to devise a new digital strategy.
And Gala Coral’s digital overhaul has paid dividends in recent years with its Coral business having grown at an annual compound rate of 57% in UK – way ahead of the industry average 10% figure.
However, the appointment of Segev comes at a time when the future of Gala Coral is shrouded in mystery with the firm currently deep in discussions with Ladbrokes over a potential merger deal.
Gala Coral CEO Carl Leaver last week told staff it was “business as usual” at the firm with the appointment of Segev indicating the company isn’t prepared to stand still during the negotiation phase.
Segev, who spent nine years at Playtech and its Videobet subsidiary, was succeeded as Playtech COO in April by Shimon Akad.