Allwyn UK appoints interim CEO to aid in National Lottery transition
Current Allwyn Group CEO Robert Chvátal takes up the position as David Craven departs
Allwyn UK has appointed Robert Chvátal as interim CEO to help aid in the transition process as the operator prepares to take over UK National Lottery operations in 2024.
Chvátal, who serves as CEO for Allwyn Group, the parent company of Allwyn UK and the firm’s various European operations, will replace David Craven.
Craven leaves the privately-owned Czech lottery giant after 18 months at the helm.
Craven joined Allwyn UK in July 2021, after spending six years as MD of The Tote, during which time he oversaw the company’s transition from state monopoly to private business.
Speaking on his decision to step down from his role, Craven said: “I am immensely proud of what the team have delivered and the part I have been able to play over these last two years in leading them. “I recognise that the next period requires a different leadership approach, better connected to our group, and the leadership team of the outgoing licensee, Camelot UK, and this is, therefore the right time for change,” he added.
Chvátal takes up the role as he reaches a decade with the Sazka Group, having joined the firm as CEO in January 2013. Since joining Sazka, he held the CEO position for seven years before becoming executive chairman of Sazka’s Czech Republic operations before taking the role of Allwyn Group CEO at the beginning of 2021.
On his new appointment, Chvátal remarked: “My appointment makes clear the full commitment of the Allwyn Group to the success of the UK National Lottery. We are immensely proud of having been entrusted with the stewardship of this national institution as the operator for the ten years of the fourth licence.
“We will bring the full force of the group to ensure a successful transition from the third licence. I look forward to working with our UK team and partners, along with colleagues from throughout the Allwyn Group to deliver on our commitment for a bigger, better and safer National Lottery,” he concluded.
Allwyn will take over the running of the UK National Lottery on 1 February 2024 from Camelot UK after a tumultuous licence battle.
The UK Gambling Commission named Allwyn as the preferred applicant, and following a slew of legal challenges, the firm looks set to transition to become the licence holder in due course.
Allwyn purchased Camelot UK from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in a £100m late last year to help ease the handover process.