People news 17 March 2016
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (11 March to 17 March 2016)
Lottoland hires former head of Gala Casino as gaming VP
Gavin Grimes is Lottoland’s third senior hire in recent months as the bet-on-lotteries firm diversifies into gaming
Lottoland has appointed Gala Interactive’s former head of casino, Gavin Grimes, to lead its diversification into gaming as the company’s senior recruitment drive continues.
Grimes, who left Gala Interactive in November, was named Lottoland’s vice president of gaming and will oversee the launch of the bet-on-lotteries firm’s online casino launch later this year.
The appointment marks Lottoland’s third senior hire in recent months, following the hires of Robert Fell as VP of product and Lucky Multani as chief operating officer.
“Gavin’s expertise and know-how will be of huge importance to us as we extend our product offering into more traditional online gaming,” Nigel Birrell, CEO of Lottoland, said.
Tabcorp promotes ex-Hills marketing chief to CMO
Tabcorp has ended its four-month search for a new chief marketing officer (CMO) after promoting former William Hill Australia marketing chief Claire Murphy.
Murphy was last week handed the position on a permanent basis having been interim CMO since the departure of Michael Smith, who in November left after only 10 months into his role.
The appointment of Murphy, according to AdNews, will see the operator’s marketing functions, which include its wagering and media, keno and gaming services divisions, centralised under the CMO role following a review of the company’s marketing structure.
Seven days in people news:
Sky Bet kicks-off ?1.5m graduate recruitment drive
Sky Betting & Gaming (SB&G) has launched a new graduate software academy with the operator promising to invest ?1.5m into developing new technology talent.
The Leeds-headquartered firm’s academy programme is now open to applicants and will see SB&G recruit 25 graduates for a 12-month course starting in July.
As part of the programme, graduates will learn about SB&G’s methodologies towards product development, as well as improving their business skills by rotating jobs between the operator’s various departments. Graduates are guaranteed a job at the end of the course.
Ladbrokes Australia names new CMO
Ladbrokes Australia has appointed Simon Jarvis as its new chief marketing officer following the departure of the operator’s long-serving CMO James Burnett.
Jarvis, who took up the Brisbane-based role last month, was most recently general manager of marketing at Australis College and has also previously worked in marketing roles at a number of other Australian educational companies.
Burnett recently left after nearly three years at the firm, during which time he helped launch the Ladbrokes brand in the market following its acquisition of Gaming Investments in September 2013.
Betsson.com MD leaves to join Optimizer Invest
Carla Maree Vella has left her role as MD of Betsson.com to join digital investment firm Optimizer Invest as its new chief executive officer.
Maree Vella leaves Betsson after almost three years, having joined in June 2013 as its head of marketing operation.
She has been overseeing the Betsson.com brand for the past 18 months and will begin her new role on 30 May.
Norsk Tipping CEO Almlid to depart
Norsk Tipping CEO Torbj??rn Almlid will step down from his position at the end of the year, with the state-run gaming operator on the hunt for a replacement.
Almlid has held the role since 2009, and Nork Tipping chairman Linda Silseth said he had done a “very good job” which last year helped the firm deliver record results.
“Accountability efforts intensified in parallel with new and innovative services for customers,” Silseth said. “The board would like to thank Almlid for his efforts and wish him continued success.”