People news 21 November 2013
The latest people moves from the egaming industry in the last seven days (15 November to21 November 2013)
Heads of egaming and bingo leave Paddy Power
Paddy Power head of egaming Isaac Ward departs Irish operator as head of bingo also exits
Paddy Power’s head of egaming Isaac Ward has left his role at the Irish operator after spending over three years at the firm.
Ward initially joined the Paddys from Sportingbet in 2010 as games P&L manager before taking up the role of head of egaming in 2012.
Speaking with eGR, Paddy Power’s PR manager Feilim Mac An Iomaire confirmed Ward had left the company “for family reasons” in September and said a replacement had yet to be found.
Ward is the latest in a number of departures from the operator in recent months after Paddy Power head of bingo Oonagh Flanagan left to join Gala Coral as head of marketing for bingo.
Betfair CTO Phil Dixon departs
Betfair chief technology officer Phil Dixon has left the sportsbook and exchange operator to join Los Angeles-based restaurant technology firm Tillster.
US-born Dixon had served in his role for more than three years, joining the company in May 2010 to head the operator’s product development initiatives. He was also a member of Betfair’s 10-strong executive board.
Dixon had previously co-founded project portfolio management solution provider Project.net in 2000 before joining online shopping firm Shopzilla as its VP of engineering in June 2005.
Seven days in people news:
Mybet departures part of management “generation change”
The recent spate of managerial departures at Schleswig-Holstein-based operator Mybet is part of a wider company restructuring as it shifts from lotteries to sports betting and casino, a company spokesperson has told eGaming Review.
CEO Matthias Dahms and CFO Stefan Hänel have both left the company in recent weeks and, according to the spokesperson, the management overhaul forms part of a “generation change” at the operator as it shifts its focus away from lotteries and towards sportsbetting and casino products.
Supervisory board members Antje Stoltenberg and Rodolfo Carpintier Santana have also stood down from their seats in recent months.
Sheriff Gaming CEO attends police interview in Holland
Dutch police claimed Sheriff Gaming CEO Stijn Flapper was one of four men to have been arrested in Holland on charges of money laundering, a charge vehemently denied by Sherriff Gaming.
The Dutch National Prosecution Office confirmed the arrests of four men, which took place last Thursday, have come as part of an investigation launched in May this year in which Flapper was named as one of the prime suspects.
Sheriff Gaming confirmed Flapper was invited for a “police interview” last week following the investigation, but vehemently denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
Optimal Payments’ chair Johnson steps down
Optimal Payments chairman Dale Johnson has decided to step down from his role at the global online payments provider due to “changing personal circumstances”.
Johnson, whose decision became effective from 20 November, has been replaced by director Jonathan Comerford on an interim basis, while the company carries out a search for a long-term successor.
Johnson, who took up the role of chair in 2007, said he was grateful for the support he had received from board colleagues and the executive during his six year stint.
Scientific Games CEO Weil steps down
Scientific Games CEO A. Lorne Weil has stepped down from his dual role of CEO and chairman at the lottery giant with David Kenney replacing him as the company’s new chief exec with immediate effect.
Weil became CEO in 1992 and more recently combined the position with that of chairman. However, the board of directors has taken the decision to separate the two roles with Ronald Perelman appointed as chairman.
“I am honoured that the Board has selected me to lead Scientific Games and I am excited about the opportunity to work with the talented executive team to continue to grow the business,” said Kennedy.