People news 29 October 2015
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (22 October to 29 October 2015)
Sky Bet trading chief switches to head of PR role
Sandro di Michele tasked with raising firm’s media profile as it finalises new comms team
Sky Betting & Gaming has appointed head of trading Sandro di Michele as its new head of PR as the firm looks to build its visibility in the mainstream media, eGaming Review has learned.
Di Michele, who began his new role last week, is responsible for driving coverage of the Sky Bet brand, predominantly across newspaper sports pages, as well as in politics, current affairs and show business stories on the front pages.
He will report into Sky Betting and Gaming’s brand director Rob Painter. “I’m delighted that Sandro has agreed to take up this new role at Sky Betting & Gaming,” Painter said.
“With his trading experience and creativity I’m looking forward to seeing his ideas for raising our profile,” he added.
Sportech CFO to join Manchester United
Sportech chief financial officer Cliff Baty is leaving leave the operator to take up the same role at Premier League football club Manchester United.
Baty’s decision to step down comes at a time when the operator is in ongoing discussions with Canada-based Contagious Gaming regarding a potential takeover of the UK-based firm.
“Cliff has been an important part of our management team since May 2013, and during that time, he has built a strong finance function across our international operations,” Ian Penrose, Sportech CEO, said.
Seven days in people news:
Paddy Power director Woolfenden departs
Paddy Power’s managing director of retail for the UK and Ireland Christian Woolfenden has left the operator in search of a role based permanently in the UK.
Current head of retail for the UK, Dan Taylor, will take over as interim MD of retail until Paddy Power’s mega-merger with Betfair is completed.
Woolfenden, previously Paddys’ global marketing director, was promoted to his current role as part of a major reshuffle of the operator’s digital team ahead of CEO Andy McCue taking over the reins in January.
DJI Holdings sacks CFO after share disposal
Chinese lottery operator DJI Holdings has terminated the contract of its CFO Rodney Davis after the director disposed of shares worth approximately £120,000 without prior authorisation from the company.
The disposals, which occurred between 30 September and 20 October, infringed DJI’s share dealing code for directors and also violated AIM rules because Davis did not notify the company immediately after each trade.
“The company has issued notice of summary termination of the contract through which Mr Davis was engaged as chief financial officer,” DJI said in a statement.
Zynga culls 60% of Irish workforce
Social casino develop Zynga has made 60% of its workforce at its European base in Ireland redundant as part of its ongoing $100m cost reduction programme.
Zynga’s latest accounts reveal that 22 people at its Dublin operation have been let go, representing around three fifths of employees.
The developer’s Ireland office appears to have been hit particularly hard with Zynga culling an average of 18% of its workforce across other offices around the world.
Binary option software provider TRADOLOGIC has appointed Playtech’s former head of product & delivery Michael Golod as its new chief executive officer.
Prior to joining TRADOLOGIC, Golod worked for seven in years in various roles for Playtech and also previously held the role of senior software lead at 888 between 2001 and 2006.
“I am honored and excited to lead TRADOLOGIC in our mission to transform how the world builds software,” Golod said.
“It is a privilege to be part of an organization that delivers high quality services and innovative solutions to the best clients, develops the most talented professionals into leaders and does its part to improve the societies in which we operate,” he added.