Ladbrokes Coral in management rejig as MD of sports brands departs

Ladbrokes Coral has been forced to shuffle its management pack after MD of sports brands Phil Walker resigned from the firm, EGR Intel has learned.

Gibraltar-based Walker, who joined legacy Gala Coral in 2010, will leave Ladbrokes Coral in the coming weeks during which time he will handover to Mark Kemp, who has been promoted from his product director role.

In addition to Walker’s current team, director of gaming operations Nir Hakarmeli, and director of sportsbook ops Matt Warner will report into Kemp – a switch from their current line manager, digital COO Ian Chuter.

Director of gaming content Richard Barr will also report into Kemp.

In an internal email to staff, Ladbrokes Coral chief operating officer Andy Hornby thanked Walker, who was previously Gala Coral chief marketing officer, for his seven years’ service.

“Phil has delivered outstanding results in all of his roles and leaves the business set up for future success and growth with a very strong and capable team in place,” Hornby said.

“We all sincerely wish him well in what will no doubt be an exceptionally successful future career.”

News of the rejig comes a day after Ladbrokes Coral released its Q1 results, which showed digital revenues were up 18% in constant currency, enough for Peel Hunt analyst Ivor Jones to describe the firm as being “out of the garage and into the fast lane”.

“Some competitors are still tinkering but Ladbrokes Coral has got the business running on a single technology platform, slammed the bonnet and headed off in search of adventure,” Jones said.