Paddy Power reshuffles in wake of Corcoran departure

Paddy Power has reshuffled its senior management team in the wake of highly rated COO Breon Corcoran’s departure for the top job at Betfair.

Peter O’Donovan, head of online since 2009, has been appointed managing director, Paddy Power Online & Technology. O’Donovan, 34, who joined the bookmaker back in 2002, will assume responsibility for all online and technology operations except its Australian Sportsbet arm.

Christopher Coyne, 33, who joined as head of egaming in 2008 from British Telecom, has been appointed head of PaddyPower.com, where he will oversee Paddy Power’s online sportsbook, egaming and online operations.

Eamonn Toland, 41, steps into the newly created role of president, Paddy Power North America. Toland, current head of telephone betting, will be responsible for identifying and managing opportunities for Paddy Power in North America. eGR exclusively revealed in September that Paddy Power has lodged two licence applications in Nevada, both of which are due to be heard by the Control Board and Gaming Commission.

The appointments are with immediate effect.

Paddy Power chief executive Patrick Kennedy (pictured) said: “Our strong growth in recent years has been driven by a great management team, and we continually invest in strengthening that team. These new appointments from within our ranks, allied to the hiring of external expertise from other industries, will enable us to continue to drive the business forward and sustain our success for many years to come.”

The bookmaker also confirmed two further appointments. Aine Cuddihy, head of online games, will take up the position of head of investor relations, while new recruit Sandra Thorpe has joined Paddy Power as HR director, Online & Corporate.

No replacement for chief information officer Kevin O’Connor, who left the Irish operator after only nine months, was announced this afternoon.