People news 21/03/13
The latest people moves from the egaming industry in the last seven days (15 March to 21 March 2013).
OpenBet appoints Thompson-Hill as new CEO
Former COO replaced David Loveday who left earlier this month after 11 years in charge.
Sports betting platform and gaming software provider OpenBet has promoted its COO Jeremy Thompson-Hill to the role of chief executive, as a replacement for David Loveday who left the business after 11 years’ service earlier this month.
eGaming Review exclusively revealed Loveday’s departure after its board, which includes representatives from private equity owners Virtuvian Partners, decided the business needed a senior executive with a “different skillset in order to take it to the next stage”, according to a spokesman.
Thompson-Hill joined OpenBet in 1999 in a sales and operational capacity before being promoted to COO in 2008. He has been responsible for sales, OpenBet Sportsbook and Casino operations and product R&D, and has been “instrumental” in the expansion of OpenBet’s global operation adding offices in Europe, Australia and North America, the company said in a statement.
The new CEO commented on his appointment: “At this important juncture for the business and in an ever-changing world of online gaming, I look forward to driving the company forward together with my management team and will focus on what we do best “ developing industry leading technology that delivers innovative solutions for our customers on every level.”
Seven days in people news:
Paf names new deputy CEO
à land Islands-based operator Paf has named Johanna Backholm as its new deputy CEO, serving under chief executive Anders Ingves.
Backholm (pictured), who serves as HR director of the company, has worked for Paf since 2002, joining as a human resources assistant, before progressing through the ranks. She will take on her new role from 1 April, with the deputy CEO position having been vacant since the departure of former incumbent Thomas ‘Pitchi’ Lundberg in February last year.
Ingves said of the appointment: “Paf’s philosophy is that the company can only grow if the people grow, and Johanna has the ability to help our colleagues to grow.
“The appointment of Johanna shows not only that she is an extremely competent person, but also highlights the central role of HR issues in business development,” he added.
Pokernews founder Guoga no longer PartyPoker ambassador
Pokernews founder and poker pro Tony Guoga has ended his sponsorship and ambassadorial deal with PartyPoker.
Guoga (pictured), who had represented the bwin.party-owned brand for three years, will now turn his attention towards his own egaming business TonyBet.
The sports betting operator is licensed in Estonia, and already has a pool betting agreement in place with Unibet’s B2B division Kambi.
While primarily focused on the sports vertical, TonyBet also offers live casino. It is the successor to the Omnibet sportsbook, which Guoga acquired and rebranded in 2009.