People News 23 January 2014
The latest people moves from the egaming industry in the last seven days (17 January to 23 January 2014)
Full Tilt confirms search for “right” CEO continues
Rational Group COO Rafi Ashkenazi remains in interim managing director role following Full Tilt’s 2012 relaunch
Full Tilt remains on the lookout for the “right” candidate to take on the role of chief executive following a year-long executive search, a company spokesman has confirmed to eGaming Review.
The permanent CEO position has been vacant ever since the operator’s buyout by the Rational Group took place 18 months ago when incumbent Ray Bitar vacated the role.
Early last year Rational Group recruited former Playtech head of operations Rafi Ashkenazi (pictured) to the role of group COO and Ashkenazi has been serving as acting managing director on an interim basis until a full-time successor to Bitar is identified.
“Rational Group COO Rafi Ashkenazi is serving as acting managing director of Full Tilt until we appoint a permanent executive. We’re eager to find the right executive to lead Full Tilt and will take the time necessary to do so,” the Full Tilt spokesperson told eGR.
Betfred cuts 30 jobs in Gibraltar
Betfred has cut 30 roles in its Gibraltar-based telephone customer services team as part of a shift in strategy which has seen the operator sharpen its focus on mobile gambling.
Petfre Gibraltar, which operates the Betfred.com brand and employs 140 staff in the British Overseas Territory, has opted to move the function to the group’s Warrington office.
Michael Feetham, chairman of Petfre, said the decision to do so is not a result of the proposed changes to UK gambling tax planned to come into effect this year.
“We have been looking at consolidation and efficiencies for some time and certainly the dramatic uptake of mobile betting and new technology has required a different approach for many functions within the business,” Feetham said.
Seven days in people news:
Nigel Blythe-Tinker stands down from GVC
Nigel Blythe-Tinker is to stand down from his position as non-executive director at egaming operator GVC.
Blythe-Tinker is to leave with immediate effect after spending more than nine years at the company having originally joined its board in December 2004.
He had also served as the group’s non-executive chairman until November 2006 and had been chairman of the remuneration committee.
Flutter founder Hannah retires from Betfair board
Flutter.com co-founder Joshua Hannah has retired from the Betfair board almost 12 years after his company merged with the exchange betting giant.
Hannah co-founded Flutter in 1999 along with Vince Monical and served as the company’s chief executive up until its merger with the Betfair Group in 2002 “ a deal which saw Hannah appointed to Betfair’s board as a director.
Hannah became a non-executive director in 2008 after the company was incorporated and continued to serve on the board after Betfair’s flotation in 2010.