People news 4 February 2016
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (29 January to 4 February 2016)
Top execs head for exit at Paddy Power Betfair
Paddys CPO, CMO and CFO among imminent departures along with Betfair COO Mark Brooker
Paddy Power Betfair’s new-look management team has taken shape with a number of high profile senior departures, including Paddys’ chief product officer Peter O’Donovan and CMO Gav Thompson, eGaming Review has learned.
The changes, announced in an email to staff at the newly-merged operator on Monday, will also see Betfair COO Mark Brooker and Paddy Power CFO Cormac McCarthy leave the firm.
As previously reported, former Paddy Power chief exec Andy McCue has stepped into the group COO role and Betfair CFO Alex Gersh has taken on the top finance job.
EGR also understands Betfair man Colm Sevastopulo will take on group trading director mantle, with Paddy Power head of risk Dermot Golden heading for the exit.
PokerStars sportsbook director Stephen Fisk departs
PokerStars’ sportsbook director Stephen Fisk has left the firm just months after the operator launched its BetStars brand in the UK.
Fisk was appointed managing director of sportsbook at the Rational Group back in November 2013, and was tasked with overseeing the set up and execution of its platform and product.
Amaya spokesman Eric Hollresier confirmed to EGR that Fisk had left the Rational Group, but declined to provide any more details on his exit.
Seven days in people news:
Ex-Betfair CFO Morana joins GVC board
GVC Holdings has named two independent non-executive directors, including former Betfair CFO Stephen Morana, as the company began trading on the London Stock Exchange this week.
The operator, which commenced its listing following its merger with bwin.party, has appointed the former Betfair veteran and current CFO of British property website Zoopla to the board of the new combined entity.
Morana spent more than a decade at Betfair and also served as its interim CEO prior to current boss Breon Corcoran joining in 2012.
Paf CEO departs following strategy fallout
Paf chief executive Anders Ingves has left the firm following a disagreement with its board of directors over the future of the operator’s international expansion strategy.
??land-based operator announced last week its long-serving CEO will be replaced by chief financial officer Johan Rothberg on an interim basis until a full-time appointment is made.
During a press conference on ??land, the operator said it had parted ways with Ingves due to different views on how international growth can be achieved.
Tabcorp builds UK team with former Betfair MD hire
Tabcorp has appointed former Betfair Malta managing director David Blackman to its nascent UK management team as the Australian wagering giant prepares for the launch of the Sun Bets sportsbook.
Last month it was revealed the bookmaker had signed a ten-year deal with Rupert Murdoch-owned News UK, which will see the operator power a UK-facing sportsbook for the media company’s flagship newspaper The Sun.
The product is expected to hit the market at some point this year and in preparation for the launch the bookmaker has established a Tabcorp UK entity and begun the process of building a UK team.