People news 10 December 2015
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (4 December to 10 December 2015)
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.
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.
New brand director at Gamesys after marketing shake-up
Gamesys has appointed Simon Jackson to the newly-created role of director of brand, acquisition and insights following the recent departures of two of its heavyweight marketing staff.
Jackson, who has held senior marketing positions at the likes of Sky and Avis and started at the London-based firm last week, fills the void left by the exits of head of global acquisition marketing Robert Derow and global brand director Paul Troy.
Gamesys said the newly-created role combines the responsibilities of Troy and Derow, with Jackson overseeing all of its brand and player acquisition activity and the budget for both above-the-line and digital media activities.
Seven days in people news:
Betsson hires ex-Google marketing chief
Betsson has appointed former Google and Eventbrite marketer Marion Gamel as its new chief marketing officer.
Gamel will take on the role next month, replacing Patrik Öqvist who will leave the firm by the end of the year.
“We are delighted that Marion will join Betsson,” Ulrik Bengtsson, Betsson Malta CEO, told eGaming Review.
Bwin.party director of games Golan Shaked departs
Bwin.party director of games Golan Shaked will leave the operator as soon as its acquisition by GVC Holdings completes next year”.
Shaked was offered the chance to retain his role in the combined business but has decided to leave the industry to become chief commercial officer at an as yet unnamed global music streaming service.
However, Shaked will remain at bwin.party in a consultancy capacity until GVC completes its takeover of the operator, which is expected to finalise on 2 February, with Tom Waters promoted to acting director of games in the meantime.
Ladbrokes names new chairman in board reshuffle
Ladbrokes has appointed senior independent non-executive director John Kelly to succeed chairman Peter Erskine as the operator reshuffles the board ahead of its planned merger with Gala Coral.
Erskine had previously announced his intention to leave the company earlier this year and officially stepped down as chairman last week after a six-year tenure at the UK bookmaker.
His departure comes just days after Ladbrokes shareholders comprehensively voted in favour of a proposed merger with Gala Coral despite a last ditch attempt by Dermot Desmond to persuade voters to reject the deal.
Oddschecker appoints new Australia country manager
Odds comparison site Oddschecker has appointed Adrian Molloy to lead the firm’s Australia-facing business ahead of its planned expansion Down Under in 2016.
Molloy joined the London-headquartered sports betting affiliate as Australia country manager last month after working as an online gambling consultant for more than two years.
His appointment forms part of a wider international expansion plan with Oddschecker also looking to grow its presence in the Italian market – the firm is currently in the process of hiring a country manager.
Mobile casino platform provider Nektan‘s chief financial officer (CFO) David Sparks is set to leave the company over the coming months.
Sparks originally joined Nektan in September 2014 having previously held senior financial roles at London Capital Group and Sportingbet.
“We would like to thank David for his contribution to the group in his role as CFO and wish him well for the future,” Gary Shaw, executive chairman at Nektan, said.