People news 16 January 2014
The latest people moves from the egaming industry in the last seven days (10 January to 16 January 2014)
Shane Doherty named as head of PaddyPower.com
Former head of finance for online business takes responsibility for driving growth of sportsbook and egaming channels
Paddy Power has promoted its online head of finance Shane Doherty to take charge of its core sportsbook and gaming site, eGaming Review has learned.
As head of PaddyPower.com Doherty will report directly into online MD Peter O’Donovan and will be responsible for driving overall revenue, profitability and market share growth.
The position had been vacant since Christopher Coyne made an internal move in May 2013 to become head of competitive analysis for the Paddy Power’s digital gaming business, with executive headhunting firm The Up Group subsequently hired to fill the role.
Doherty joined Paddy Power last May in the newly-created role of online head of finance within its online division, responsible for driving the financial management of Paddy Power’s digital business.
Betsson recruits casino management duo
Nordic operator Betsson has bolstered its casino management team with two new hires from rival betting companies.
Betfair’s former head of international marketing Peter Weinreich takes on the role of Betsson’s managing director for Casino.dk, while ex-Mr Green chief product officer Markus Aurala has joined the operator as its overall head of casino.
Betsson CEO Magnus Silfverberg told eGaming Review both Weinreich and Aurala joined the operator last month.
Seven days in people news:
Betclic creates new gaming division in company reshuffle
Betclic Everest Group has created two new strategic divisions within the organisation in order to help meet the company’s ambitious 2014 growth plans, eGaming Review has learned.
The Everest Poker & Casino, Imperial Casino and Monte Carlo Casino Region (EIM) division has been launched to “develop strategies” and operate the group’s dot.com and Asia gaming brands.
The new division will be led by Des Duffy, who has been head of poker at Betclic Everest Group since August 2012 and will be responsible for overseeing the acquisition, retention and P&L management for the brands.
Wänghammar appointed Mr Green Malta CEO
Malta-based online casino operator Mr Green has appointed Bo Wänghammar as its new CEO with current chief exec Marcus Nylen moving to head up Garbo.com.
Marcus Nylén will lead Garbo.com, the newly-launched mobile casino business aimed at the female market that Mr Green has an option to acquire.
Wänghammar worked for bwin.party from 2007 to 2010, latterly as head of B2C, and has since served as CEO of Swedish eyewear firm LensWay.
Boylesports’ O’Loughlin switches to group CTO role
Irish operator Boylesports has appointed its former online CEO Keith O’Loughlin as its new group chief technology officer, eGaming Review has learned.
The move is part of an increased focus on technology and product innovation across both retail and online, which has also led to the opening of a 60-strong development hub in the Philippines.
O’Loughlin joined the Irish operator in 2011 and became CEO of the Boylesports Online division in March 2012 as it ramped up investment in its digital offering.
Perform CFO Surtees to step down
Perform Group’s chief financial officer David Surtees will leave the company at the end of January, the company announced last week.
Surtees has spent more than five years with Perform since joining the sports data firm from independent TV producer Shine in 2008. The search for his replacement has begun.
His departure comes a month after Perform was forced to issue a full-year profit warning, causing its share price to half. It reported revenues for 2013 will be 6% lower than previous expectations and EBITDA “significantly” under earlier forecasts.
Nektan to open US headquarters
Mobile games developer Nektan will open headquarters in Las Vegas later this month as it continues to expand its US business.
Co-founder of the Gibraltar-based firm, Richard Sagman, will relocate to the Silver State to take up the role of vice-president of Nektan US.
“I’m really excited by the prospect of taking Nektan into the USA, to further develop our business relationships and leverage our mobile expertise and product in a market that’s expanding quickly,” said Sagman.