People news 25 September 2014
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (19 September to 25 September 2014)
GB regulator begins search for new chief executive
Jenny Williams will step down from Gambling Commission next year after 10 years in the role
Great Britain’s gambling regulator has begun the search for a new chief executive following the news that Jenny Williams will step down from the role next year.
Gambling Commission chairman Philip Graf wrote to industry trade bodies to alert them of the news and said that a new CEO would be in place early in the next financial year.
Graf wrote that Williams, who became the chief executive of the Gaming Board “ now the Gambling Commission “ in 2004, would be a “hard act to follow”.
Her statutory term as a commissioner ends September 2015 and she will remain with the organisation while a full and thorough handover is completed.
Betfred appoints new digital marketing head
Betfred has promoted James Shaw to the role of head of digital marketing as the operator continues to revamp its online management team.
Warrington-based Shaw, previously the operator’s head of retention, started his new role earlier this month and succeeds Tim Pindar who recently left the company.
As well as retaining responsibility for CRM, VIPs and social media, Shaw will also take on the management of Betfred’s acquisition and retention P&L, pay-per-click, media and affiliate channels, and coordinate cross-channel initiatives alongside its retail division.
Seven days in people news:
Bertilsson named Metric Gaming CEO
Sportsbook provider Metric Gaming has appointed former Boss Media and Ongame executive Peter Bertilsson as its new president and CEO following a management reshuffle.
Bertilsson had been serving as the firm’s chairman but will now relocate from Stockholm to Las Vegas to become its full-time chief executive, replacing its founder Martin de Knijff who is to assume the role of head of business and product development, while also remaining a director.
“It has been a pleasure serving as Metric’s chairman, and I am thrilled with the opportunity to take over the reins as CEO and help this company reach its full and tremendous potential,” Bertilsson said.
South Africa National Gambling Board members suspended
Members of South Africa’s National Gambling Board have been removed by the country’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) pending a “forensic investigation” by the DTI, however the suspension is not thought to pose any risk to ongoing gambling reforms in the country.
South Africa’s minister of trade and industry Rob Davies temporarily removed the officials earlier this month and operators in the country were informed on Friday, with the Gambling Board issuing a statement confirming their suspension.
Neither the identities of those involved or the reasons for their suspensions have been disclosed, however Davies did reveal he had appointed two administrators to “oversee the day to day affairs” of the regulator while the investigation was ongoing.
Online gaming marketing technology company Traffic Generation has appointed former Genesis Gaming sales director Kathy Davis as its new North American sales manager.
Davis has worked in the casino gaming industry for over 15 years after previous stints at Bally Technologies, VSR Industries and Aristocrat.
“We are delighted to have Kathy join our North American business,” TraffGen CEO, Andy Caras-Altas said.
“Her expertise and insight into the US casino market, in both Indian Country and commercial properties, is a great asset to the business and will be a real benefit to our clients,” he added.