People news 30 June 2016
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (24 June to 30 June 2016)
Paddy Power to close Isle of Man office
Licensing hub relocated to Betfair’s Malta office with closure impacting 10 jobs
Paddy Power will close its office on the Isle of Man in the coming months as part of the cost cutting synergies being undertaken in its merger with Betfair.
The office, which is the licensing centre for Paddy Power online, houses around 10 people, the majority of which are finance staff.
These operations will be moved to Malta and combined with a Betfair office which will deal with licencing requirements for the enlarged company.
A Betfair spokesperson confirmed to EGR: “The office is being closed as part of the consolidation of licensing arrangements across the group.”
Former Sportingbet chief Andrew McIver named Intertain CEO
Former Sportingbet CEO, Andrew McIver, has been named the new CEO of Intertain as part of a major company reorganisation including a new chairman and plans to relocate to the UK.
McIver will be joined at Intertain by Neil Goulden, who has been appointed chairman after a 14-year stint at Gala Coral between 2000 and 2014, where he was COO, CEO and later chairman.
“Neil and Andy are world-class gaming executives and they bring outstanding leadership to our excellent businesses,” said David Danziger, former chairman of the Board and director of the special committee looking into Intertain’s future.
Seven days in people news:
Rank to open new customer service hub
Rank Group is to open a new Sheffield-based customer service hub in September for its retail and online divisions.
The operator has appointed customer service expert Liam Smith as director of customer contact to lead the launch of the centre, which will employ more than 60 people.
Smith joins Rank from Contact Center Managed Services, where he worked as managing director for more than two years, and previously held a number of business roles at UK energy giant npower.
Betsson appoints new head of casino
Betsson Group has named Yana Tsyganova as head of casino for its Betsson.com site.
Tsyganova, who started her role earlier this month, will be responsible for overseeing the casino products and marketing strategy.
And speaking to EGR, Tsyganova confirmed she is already working on some projects that will be “game changers” within the industry.
Norsk Tipping appoints new CEO
Norsk Tipping has appointed former secretary general of the Norwegian Red Cross, Asne Havnelid, as the operator’s new chief executive officer.
Havnelid replaces former CEO Torbj??rn Almlid who announced his departure from the state-owned operator in March after nearly seven years in charge.
“I am very happy, excited and especially humbled to have this opportunity [to join Norsk Tipping],” the new CEO Havnelid said.
Finland monopoly Veikkaus names new CEO
Finland’s newly-created state-owned monopoly giant Veikkaus has named Olli Sarekoski as its new vice president and CEO, effective from the beginning of next year.
Sports betting and lottery operator Veikkaus Oy, casino and slots operator RAY and horseracing operator Fintoto will merge under the Veikkaus brand on 1 January 2017.
Sarekoski, who is currently executive vice president and COO of Veikkaus Oy, will take the reins of the newly-created operator when the company starts trading.