Flutter Entertainment appoints regional CEO quartet following TSG merger
New bosses unveiled in UK, Australia, US and International divisions as group chief Peter Jackson hints at overseas M&A
Flutter Entertainment has appointed four new regional chief executives to oversee its core business divisions with integration of the acquired Stars Group (TSG) business well underway. Former COO of Sky Betting & Gaming (SBG) Conor Grant has been promoted to CEO of Flutter’s UK and Ireland division, which encompasses SBG, Paddy Power and Betfair. Grant previously served as MD of Sky Gaming and head of sportsbook product management for the Leeds-based operator, having previously worked as head of online operations for BoyleSports. In his new role, Grant will work alongside newly appointed UK & Ireland executive chairman Ian Proctor. Paddy Power Betfair (PPB) CEO Daniel Taylor has been promoted to CEO of the group’s international division, overseeing PokerStars and Betfair international operations, as well as Georgian operator Adjarabet. Taylor previously served as MD of UK and Ireland and MD for retail operations before being promoted to PPB CEO in January of 2018. Elsewhere, Flutter’s Australian operations will now be led by Barni Evans, who is the existing CEO of Flutter’s Australian subsidiary Sportsbet. Evans will now have responsibility for the group’s BetEasy brand as well. Finally, FanDuel CEO Matt King has been promoted to US CEO to lead Flutter’s quartet of US businesses including FanDuel, TVG, PokerStars and Fox Bet. The four hires were confirmed by Flutter Entertainment Group CEO Peter Jackson during the firm’s H1 2020 financial results, where group revenue increased by 22%. Jackson suggested the majority of key leadership roles at the combined business had now been filled following the operator’s decision to switch to a leaner decentralised management operating model at the completion of its multi-billion-pound merger with TSG in May. “Important decisions are progressing on our technology plans and we are aligning our regulatory and responsible gambling approach across the expanded group,” Jackson explained. The Flutter chief also hinted that further acquisition activity could be on the cards, with the aim to enhance the group’s growth profile and diversification. “Given the strength of our presence in our core markets (e.g. UK, Ireland and Australia), it is more likely that such transactions will be pursued by our international division,” Jackson concluded.