Bwin.party appoints two new directors
Liz Catchpole and Barry Gibson selected as independent non-executive directors to replace outgoing Rod Perry and Helmut Kern
Bwin.party this morning announced the appointment of Liz Catchpole and Barry Gibson as independent non-executive directors to replace two senior board figures who will step down from their roles next month.
Catchpole and Gibson will replace Rod Perry and Helmut Kern, who currently hold the roles of chairman of the Remuneration Committee and chairman of the audit committee, following the firm’s AGM meeting.
Bwin.party commenced the search to replace Perry and Kern back in May 2014, with both retiring in accordance with UK Corporate Governance Code after each serving 10 years with the firm.
As of 1 March, Gibson will become chairman of the Remuneration Committee and senior independent director, while Catchpole will chair the Audit and Risk Committee.
“I am very pleased to welcome Liz and Barry to bwin.party, bwin.party chairman Philip Yea, said.
“Their backgrounds will complement the portfolio of skills and experience of the other directors, whilst also filling the gaps left by Rod and Helmut when they retire later this year,” he added.
Gibson is an experienced listed company director, with a background in the retail sector. He has previously served as chairman of the Remuneration Committee for William Hill and Playtech, and is currently chairman of HomeServe and Harding Retail Group.
Catchpole is a chartered accountant with a background it insurance, business services and property sectors. She is currently an independent non-executive director and chair of the Audit Committee at both The University of Law and Sembcorp Bournemouth Water.
Bwin.party said it was still looking to appoint a non-executive director with a background in information technology, and hopes to make an announcement regarding an appointment in due course.
The news comes as the firm continues to hold discussions over a potential sale or break-up of the firm.
Last week bwin.party’s share price slumped by 25% to 77p, its lowest price in seven years, on the back of speculation interested parties rumoured to include Amaya Gaming and William Hill had walked away from talks, a suggestion the bwin.party categorically denied.
The firm’s share price has rebounded somewhat over the course of the past week but was down 3.3p to 87.3p at the time of writing this morning.