Sky Bet appoints Italy MD as market launch nears
Operator hires former Paddy Power Italia managing director Giovanna D'Esposito to lead new Italy division
Sky Betting & Gaming (SB&G) has hired former managing director of Paddy Power Italia Giovanna D’Esposito to spearhead the operator’s new Sky Bet Italia business, eGaming Review has learned.
D’Esposito joins as managing director of the Leeds-headquartered firm’s Italian arm and will be based out of the operator’s new Rome office ahead of a planned H2 2016 launch of Sky Bet Italia.
Prior to joining SB&G, D’Esposito headed up Paddy Power’s Italian operation for four years before vacating the role in May where she was later replaced by the operator’s head of business and customer strategy Marcello Magaletti.
“I am thrilled to be joining Sky Betting & Gaming at such an exciting time for the business,” D’Esposito said. “Not only is the company as a whole doing well but launching its first international operation in a market I know well is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” she added.
Earlier this year eGR revealed SB&G’s had embarked on a multi-million pound expansion drive with the opening of new offices in Sheffield and Rome to aid the launch of its first international operation.
And SB&G CEO Richard Flint said he was delighted D’Esposito had been appointed to lead its Italian business.
“With her experience and expertise together with Sky Italia’s strong brand I am confident that we will soon be launching an innovative and exciting proposition for Italian customers,” Flint said.
SB&G also recently a major recruitment drive backed by an £11m investment which will see company headcount increase by 200 and the opening of a new customer services hub in Leeds.
Following the hires, which are expected to be finalised within the coming financial year, SB&G’s headcount will reach approximately 900 people across its three Yorkshire-based offices.