Playtech to appoint former Sportech CEO as non-exec director
Ian Penrose to be announced on Thursday to help “spearhead Playtech’s assault” on the US
Playtech is planning to appoint former Sportech CEO Ian Penrose as a non-executive director to help its US expansion, according to a new report in the Sunday Times.
Playtech declined to comment when contacted by EGR, but the paper said the announcement would be made official on Thursday during the provider’s H1 results.
Penrose stepped down as Sportech CEO in September last year and has not had a permanent role since, although EGR understands he has been consulting for new Tote owner Alizeti Capital and could be announced as a strategic advisor later this week.
Ian Penrose
According to the Times, Penrose will “spearhead Playtech’s assault on the American sports betting market,” and is “seen internally as a likely successor to its embattled chairman Alan Jackson”.
More than 35% of Playtech shareholder voted against the re-election of Jackson at Playtech AGM, after the firm has seen its shares fall 47% over the past year.
Playtech has also been conspicuous by its absence from any of the announcements around partnerships and deals in the US.
The provider issued a second profit warning back in July, blaming increasing competition in Asia for the downturn.
Full-year earnings expected to come in at between €320m and €360m, some 21% below previous consensus estimates.