FanDuel appoints new CTO amid technology recruitment drive

FanDuel has confirmed the appointment of Andrew Sheh as its new chief technology officer. A veteran of the technology and engineering sectors, Sheh notably spent seven years as a senior member of technical staff working on systems and software for usage in space satellite programs for Sandia National Laboratories. Sheh has also worked in software and engineering-based roles for Palantir Technologies, CEB (now Gartner) and spent almost three years as a CTO for real estate tech company Remine, before moving to his previous role as a senior VP of engineering for another real estate technology company Compass. At Compass, Sheh was responsible for a global engineering organization of over 500 engineers covering all data, search, AI/ML, video, digital ads, marketing tech, payments, and externalization efforts. In his new role as CTO for FanDuel, Sheh will oversee the operator’s customer-facing engineering teams and platform development teams, as well as all IT architecture and personnel. FanDuel president and CEO Amy Howe drew on Sheh’s long track record in IT and engineering-based roles in her remarks about the hire. “FanDuel’s consistent focus on technology that drives innovation has been the fuel to our industry-leading performance,” Howe said. “I am confident that Andrew has the experience and vision to help us continue to extend that advantage into the future,” the FanDuel CEO added. News of the hire comes as FanDuel agrees a multi-year partnership with Edinburgh-based digital product development firm xDesign. The pair have been working together over the last 18 months, with xDesign providing product and engineering support for FanDuel. Under the terms of the agreement, FanDuel and xDesign will each invest £250,000 annually into a jointly built programme aimed at encouraging new technology talent with the goal of augmenting their respective technology teams. The duo have committed to creating a total of 400 new jobs by the end of 2022. This includes 250 new FanDuel employees spread over its Edinburgh, Glasgow and Atlanta offices, while xDesign will add an additional 40 people working exclusively on the FanDuel account. FanDuel COO Andy Giancamilli welcomed the agreement, citing the strong commercial relationship between the two firms and the potential for future growth. “We have been continually impressed with xDesign throughout our relationship to date; its people-first approach, technical pedigree, and superb track record of delivery to rapidly scaling companies provides FanDuel with a relationship to be envied by others in the sector,” Giancamilli said. “The boom of the UK and Scottish tech sector is undeniable, and we believe this partnership with xDesign provides fantastic support and supplements the work our FanDuel world-class engineering teams do,” he added. The commitment will increase xDigital’s headcount by an additional 150 people to more than 350 by the end of 2022, with an expectation this will increase to more than 500 people by 2024. XDesign CEO Euan Andrews noted the increasing demands for tech-based employees in the sector suggesting the partnership would enable future skills development. “Investing in people and creating a platform for future tech talent is a must to tackle the ever-widening tech skills gap,” Andrews said. “While job creation and growth form a huge part of this partnership, engagement, and support for those at the early stages of their career in technology is vital. “Extending our relationship with an organisation as successful as FanDuel will significantly contribute to identifying and cultivating the next generation of talent in the UK which both companies are fanatical about,” he added.