People news 9 June 2016
The latest people news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (3 June to 9 June 2016)
Ladbrokes to move out of London HQ
Operator’s landlord granted prior approval to convert Imperial House offices into residential flats
Ladbrokes could move out of its north-west London headquarters as early as next year after the operator’s landlord was granted prior approval to convert the offices into residential flats.
According to an application posted on the Harrow Council website, Marylebone Property Investments last month requested permission to turn 175 – 205 Imperial House, Ladbrokes’ head office since 1990, into 103 self-contained flats.
The Council granted the planning permission prior approval last week and has since invited comment from interested parties ahead of making a final decision.
Ladbrokes’ tenancy agreement for the Rayners Lane-based offices, which houses approximately 1,000 staffers, runs until 2020, however, EGR understands the contract includes a break clause which could be executed in either 2017 or 2018.
Playtech hires former Italian gaming regulator Rodano
Former Italian gaming regulator Francesco Rodano has joined Playtech as chief policy officer after leaving his position with the Italian government.
In his new role, Rodano will be responsible for advising the supplier giant on the gambling policies of different countries, finding new business opportunities, and developing relationships with key policy-makers and industry stakeholders.
Rodano will be based in Playtech’s London office and report directly to the group’s chief executive Mor Weizer.
Seven days in people news:
Sporting Index promotes marketing director to lead brand
Sporting Index has promoted its marketing director Paul Turner as the new head of the spread betting-focused brand.
Turner joined the London-based company three years ago as Sporting Index Group’s head of marketing, which also encompassed the B2B trading services arm Sporting Solutions.
In the newly-created role, Turner will report directly to Group CEO Simon Trim, who took over from outgoing CEO Warren Murphy in March this year.
Danske Spil CEO to step down
Danish operator Danske Spil is on the lookout for a new CEO after Hans Christian Madsen revealed he will step down from the role in 2017.
After 12 years with the operator, Madsen will leave on 1 April and the company’s search for a new CEO is already underway, with a successor expected to be announced in early 2017.
During his tenure, the company has gone through a transformation from state-owned monopoly to a competitive company, according to chairman Peter G?¦melke.
Oddschecker signs Robbie Fowler for Euro 2016 push
Oddschecker has signed former Liverpool FC footballer Robbie Fowler as a brand ambassador for the duration of this summer’s European Championships.
The deal will see the former England international provide regular betting-focused articles on Euro 2016 throughout the month-long tournament.
Fowler will also be promoting the price comparison site via his social media presence, which started with a live Q&A session on Twitter on Tuesday (7 June).