Paf deputy CEO stands down
Thomas "Pitchi" Lundberg will leave in March to become CEO and senior director of Crosskey, the largest subsidiary of the Bank of à land group.
Paf’s deputy chief executive Thomas “Pitchi” Lundberg has announced he will step down from his position to become CEO and senior director of Crosskey, the largest subsidiary of the Bank of à land group.
Lundberg, or “Pitchi” as he is known within the company after former Barcelona football player Pichi Alonzo due to both men sharing the same middle name, will leave Paf at the end of March with Anders Wiklund, currently head of consumer experience, taking over his position. Wiklund has been at the business since 2007.
Paf was founded more than 35 years ago in à land and today has more than 100 games online, 1,300 machines and 40 gaming tables on ships and at the Paf Casino in à land. The Bank of à land has 30 branches across Finland and Sweden with around 90,000 retail and private banking customers. à land, the smallest region of Finland with less than 30,000 inhabitants.
Paf was the biggest riser in last year’s annual eGR Power 50 list moving 40 places to ninth due largely to its operating profits more than trebling in last 12 months. Revenues from bingo “ signing a new deal with Parlay in September “ and casino have continued to rise. Net gaming revenue was up 2.5m over the 12 months ended 31 August while marketing spend was cut significantly across same period. Its internet platform was completed, thus removing another expense.
Previously to the Power 50 list little was known about Paf’s online business, however some severe cost cutting, a 3 to 4m reduction in marketing spend and investments in a new site, and betting and bingo platforms meant that it became one of the fastest growing operators on the list.
Anders Ingves, CEO of Paf, said: “It is always hard when competent and inspiring people choose to leave the company. I sincerely wish Thomas all the happiness, success and continuous personal growth in his new position. I will morn not having the possibility to challenge him and be challenged and surprised by him every day.
“But I am convinced Anders Wiklund, who takes over the relay-baton from Pitchi, will open up new inspiring ways of thinking in me and in the dot.com-organisation.
Wiklund added: “I was very sad to hear that Pitchi had decided to leave the company. I am now eager to take over the relay-baton and drive the business in the leadership way which is close to my heart. We have not yet won the championship, but I am convinced we together will make it happen. Let´s focus on the future and rock on.”