People news 28 November 2013
The latest people moves from the egaming industry in the last seven days (22 November to 28 November 2013)
Former Paddys egaming head Ward joins Tom Waterhouse
Isaac Ward to join William Hill’s Australian business as commercial director in January
Former head of egaming at Paddy Power Isaac Ward has joined William Hill subsidiary Tom Waterhouse as commercial director, eGaming Review exclusively revealed.
Ward, who left his role at the Irish operator in September after three years at the firm, is set to take up the position in Australia in late January and will report directly to Tom Waterhouse.
Speaking with eGR, Ward said he was looking forward to starting his new Sydney-based role, in which he will run general business operations, and described the company has having “lots of potential for growth”.
William Hill completed the acquisition of Australian online bookmaker Tom Waterhouse, first revealed by eGR, for an initial fee of AU$34m (£20m) in August.
Ladbrokes appoints new mobile chief
British bookmaker Ladbrokes has appointed Andrew Bagguley as mobile and devices director to head up its new mobile development hub.
Bagguley joins from German telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom and will lead Ladbrokes’ new mobile development hub, working closely with mobile development agency Chelsea App Factory.
Bagguley had led Deutsche Telekom’s mobile strategy since February 2011, having previously held similar roles at British newspaper publisher News UK and Deutsche Telekom’s mobile subsidiary T-Mobile.
Ladbrokes announced the launch of its new London hub earlier this week as part of an initiative to accelerate the development of its mobile offering, with its sportsbook team moving to Chelsea App Factory offices to work on Ladbrokes’ Mobenga mobile platform.
Seven days in people news:
Ralph Topping wins eGR outstanding contribution award
William Hill chief executive Ralph Topping took home the outstanding contribution award at this year’s eGaming Review Operator Awards.
Topping claimed the prize for his exceptional impact on the online gambling industry, finishing a year in which he has seen Hills consolidate its position as one of the top online gambling operators.
Topping was appointed as the operator’s chief executive in 2008 and celebrated 40 years with the operator in September, having originally started working in a Glasgow betting shop near Hampden Park in 1973.
888 appoints new poker marketing head
Gibraltar-licensed operator 888 has strengthened its marketing division after appointing former PKR global head of marketing Erika Schwartz Poole to head up its offline marketing and partnerships strategy.
Poole, who started her new role earlier this month, joins 888 after former director of marketing and strategy Gareth Edwards officially left the company in October following his resignation during the summer.
Based in London, Poole has been tasked with launching a new offline sub-brand, encompassing its global live events, VIP offline activity, brand ambassadors and social activities. She will also handle the strategic partnerships for the brand.