William Hill appoints Ulrik Bengtsson as new CEO
Philip Bowcock to step down as group CEO from 30 September after three years in the role
William Hill has promoted Ulrik Bengtsson to the role of group chief executive (CEO), replacing Philip Bowcock who is set to leave the operator after three years at the helm.
Bengtsson, previously chief digital officer at Hills, was today appointed CEO designate and a company director with immediate effect and will assume full CEO responsibilities from 30 September.
Outgoing CEO Bowcock will remain with the business until 31 December to assist with the transition.
William Hill chairman Roger Devlin said Bengtsson was ideally placed to lead the operator into the future having overseen the group’s digital operations for the last 18 months.
“Ulrik has deep understanding in digital and has the international and sector experience we need to deliver on our strategy,” he said.
“His appointment will provide continuity, stability and operational digital leadership as we deliver on the strategy we have set.”
https://twitter.com/UlrikBengtsson/status/1169493127687737344
Bengtsson originally joined William Hill as chief digital officer in 2018 having previously been president and CEO of Stockholm-listed operator Betsson for a number of years.
Bengtsson added: “I am delighted to be taking on the CEO role at such an exciting time for William Hill and look forward to working with the team to deliver our strategy.
“We have a great opportunity to build William Hill as a digital and international business by driving Online growth in the UK and internationally, growing a scale US business, remodelling Retail and delivering our Nobody Harmed ambition.”
Outgoing William Hill chief exec Bowcock will leave the business at the end of the year having held the CEO position since July 2016 following the departure of James Henderson.
Bowcock, who originally joined Hill as CFO in November 2015, was initially appointed CEO on an interim basis but was later handed the role on a permanent basis in March 2017.
Bowcock said he had “thoroughly enjoyed” his time at the operator despite the pressures the business has faced, including regulatory changes in the UK such as the triennial review.
“After all the work the team has done I believe the business is now well placed to take advantage of the opportunities presented in the US market as well as continued growth in digital,” he said.
“Having recruited and worked with Ulrik for the last year and a half, I am confident he will take advantage of the opportunities ahead and we will see William Hill go from strength to strength.”
William Hill’s share price was down 0.72% to 178.70 on the London Stock Exchange at the time of writing.