William Hill execs leave for rival operators
Director of gaming innovation James Curwen to join Gamesys while director of sportsbook operations Matt Warner believed to be joining Coral
William Hill has been dealt a double blow after director of gaming innovation James Curwen quit the firm to join Gamesys while director of sportsbook operations Matt Warner has also decided to leave in favour of a move to rival Coral, eGaming Review understands.
The two Gibraltar-based executives have been placed on gardening leave and, according to a William Hill spokesperson, their responsibilities “taken on by existing members of the digital team”.
Director of gaming innovation Curwen joined Hills in 2011 and played a key role in the growth of William Hill’s gaming arm, including the development of its live casino and proprietary Vegas products.
Gamesys said it was currently unable to comment on the news when reached for comment by eGR this morning.
“We are constantly seeking great talent to join Gamesys. However, we don’t have any comment on any specific hires at this time,” the Gamesys spokesperson said.
The exits of Curwen and Warner, which were first revealed by The Times, are the latest in a number of senior employees to leave William Hill in recent months, including the departure of group finance director Neil Cooper to residential property development company Barratt Developments.
Earlier this year the operator’s chief marketing officer Kristof Fahy – who has since joined rival operator Ladbrokes – also left after more than five years at the firm.
According to one source, approximately 12 to 15 senior people have left William Hill in recent months with the possibility for more departures on the way in February, shortly after a payment of the operator’s Long Term Incentive Plan is due.
News of the departures coincide with a difficult financial reporting period for William Hill – last month the firm announced a 37% year-on-year fall in Q3 online profits and a small decline in revenue.
The company said operating profit was dented by a 175% year-on-year increase in cost of sales, largely attributed to an £18m PoC hit, and also revealed a 3% fall in online revenues.
Coral was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.