Mullen to head-up merged Ladbrokes-Gala Coral

Ladbrokes chief executive Jim Mullen (pictured) looks set to lead a merged Ladbrokes and Gala Coral entity should the proposed reverse takeover get the green light.

According to a Sky News report, former William Hill Online COO Mullen, who joined Ladbrokes in 2013 before replacing Richard Glynn as CEO in April, will assume the chief executive position pending a successful deal between the two gaming giants.

The report states that Gala Coral Group chief executive Carl Leaver will be handed a prominent role in overseeing the integration process after which time he is expected to leave the firm.

Gala Coral COO Andy Hornby and CFO Paul Bowtell will assume similar positions at the enlarged firm while Ladbrokes chairman Peter Erskine, who had planned to step down from his role later this year, will take up the chair as his Gala Coral counterpart Rob Templeman departs.

“We’re aware of the media speculation but it’s not something we’re in a position to comment on at this stage,” David Williams, Ladbrokes director of media told eGR this afternoon.

News of the potential merger, which would create an online firm with revenues of approximately £400m, was first revealed last month, with both Ladbrokes and Gala Coral having confirmed the talks.

Leaver previously informed staff a merger, which would be a reverse takeover of Ladbrokes, could be an “exciting development” however added that any deal would likely take up to 12 months to finalise with approval from the UK Competition Authority likely to be required.

Gala Coral was unavailble to comment at the time of publication.