888, Codere & Allwyn: on the move - CasinoBeats

In a constantly changing industry, companies like 888, Codere, and Allwyn have added new members to their teams to strengthen their workforce.

Allwyn has chosen Andria Vidler as the CEO for the UK region before taking over as the operator of the UK National Lottery in February 2024.

Vidler is set to take over the position of Robert Chvátal on October 1. Chvátal had been serving as the interim CEO since January, but will now resume his role as the full-time Group CEO of Allwyn.

Sharing her thoughts on her new position, Vidler expressed her enthusiasm for the chance to contribute towards the growth and improvement of The National Lottery. She acknowledges the immense impact this beloved UK brand has on society and looks forward to collaborating with her Allwyn and Camelot counterparts in order to turn her vision into a tangible achievement.

Chvátal stated: "Andria's background in creating and controlling captivating brands, content, and initiatives that resonate with individuals in a rapidly evolving digital setting made her the perfect selection for our fresh CEO."

In her latest position, she will have the opportunity to tap into the exceptional skill set we possess in the United Kingdom, along with reaping the benefits of the influential Allwyn Group platform.

Vidler says goodbye to 888 and heads over to Allwyn, where she will no longer serve as Chair of the ESG Committee starting from September 30.

Lord Mendelsohn, the Executive Chairperson of 888, expressed his congratulations and gratitude to Andria for her recent appointment and for the valuable contributions she has made throughout her tenure at 888.

We greatly appreciate her assistance and vast expertise as we persist in fulfilling our long-term strategic goals after acquiring William Hill. We offer our best wishes for her future endeavors.

Codere has announced the inclusion of two new individuals to their team this week. Luis Villalba has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer, while Sonia Carabante has been given the new role of Corporate Director of Commercial Strategy and Business Projects.

In his new role as CFO, Villalba will take charge of Codere's financial strategy after its refinancing. He will be stepping in for the previous CFO, Óscar Fernández de Llano, who is resigning due to personal reasons.

With nearly a quarter-century of expertise in the finance industry, Villalba joins Codere after serving as the Financial Director and a member of the Executive Committee at Deoleo Group.

Taking on the role of Corporate Director for Commercial Strategy and Business Projects, Carabante will be responsible for spearheading important business initiatives for the organization. These include improving efficiency, implementing local strategies and projects, and providing crucial oversight for the company's marketing, CRM, and product functions on a global scale.

Under the guidance of Group CEO Gonzaga Higuero, Carabante joins Codere with a wealth of expertise and understanding, accumulated over a span of 25 years. Prior to this, Carabante held multiple roles at Cirsa, including serving as the Director for Customer Intelligence, Efficiency, and Productivity.

888 has selected Alexis Zamboglou to assume the role of Managing Director for the UK & Ireland.

Zamboglou has been with the company since 2020, serving in various positions such as Strategy Director for UK at William Hill, Director of Marketing, and holding both the roles of UK Marketing Director and Managing Director for Ireland. Additionally, he has had marketing positions at BoyleSports, Ladbrokes Coral, and Entain.

In his recently acquired position, he will have the duty of overseeing the operations of the 888sport, 888casino, William Hill, and Mr Green labels throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.

In a post on Linkedin, Zamboglou expressed great enthusiasm about the chance to lead the operations in the UK and Ireland for renowned companies like William Hill, 888, and Mr Green.

I'm extremely excited to collaborate with incredibly skilled teams in the sports, gaming, and marketing realms. We aim to elevate our achievements from 2023 and further flourish in these areas.

This past year has brought about significant changes and establishment for 888/William Hill. However, we are now fully prepared and eager to pursue growth opportunities in the UK and Ireland. Our dedication to player safety and prioritizing our customers has remained unwavering, serving as the foundation for our ongoing efforts.

In other news at 888, Yariv Lavi has revealed that he will be departing from his position as the Director of Business Development.

Lavi expressed his enthusiasm in announcing that he will be parting ways with #888 this week, concluding a remarkable 13.5-year chapter. This experience has been truly amazing, and he is immensely grateful for the chance to collaborate with such exceptionally skilled individuals.

"I have gained a wealth of knowledge from my peers and superiors, and I take great pride in the accomplishments we have achieved as a team. Additionally, I am thankful for the opportunity to have been employed by one of the leading gaming companies globally, as well as the privilege to cooperate with outstanding associates throughout the industry."

I am thrilled to anticipate what lies ahead, and I have full faith that I will be able to expand on the base I have set at 888. I express my gratitude to all those who have made my experience at 888 truly exceptional. I wish every one of you the utmost success in the times to come.

Sam Allanson has joined Rank Group as the new Chief Financial Officer for Rank Interactive.

Allanson is set to become part of Rank in the upcoming months, reporting directly to Group CFO Richard Harris. He is currently in the role of Commercial Finance Director at Entain.

Allanson became a part of Entain in 2017 after the merger of Ladbrokes and Coral, and this was prior to the GVC acquisition. Prior to this, Allanson had worked in financial roles at Ladbrokes and Sky.

Sharing his thoughts on his new position, Allanson expressed his enthusiasm for being a part of Rank Interactive, an extremely thrilling entity within the betting and gaming sector. As the company expands and becomes more influential within the wider Group, the potential for success is immense.

Based on my past involvement in the industry, I am eager to add value to Rank Interactive's continued prosperity and assist the finance team in achieving Rank's ambitious goals for its digital expansion. I am thrilled to be a member of a top-level management team that exhibits a well-defined vision for growth.

Harris stated: "I am thrilled to have Sam join our Interactive division as we strive for further expansion. His expertise in industries that directly interact with consumers, specifically in the realm of betting and gaming, will prove to be highly beneficial as we carry out our plans."

Developing our financial skills throughout the organization is a crucial foundation of Rank's aspirations to captivate and amuse our patrons, a vision that Sam wholeheartedly embraces.

Bede Gaming has chosen Dan Whiteley to be their new Chief Technology Officer.

With an extensive background in intricate technological solutions and digital product expertise spanning over 25 years, Whiteley excels in formulating groundbreaking visions and strategies for digital transformation, product development, system architecture, IT services, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency.

Prior to joining Bede, Whiteley held high-ranking roles at Jugo, CTS, and Flutter Entertainment.

Speaking about his new position, Whiteley expressed his satisfaction to be joining Bede and emphasized his pride in becoming a part of their journey. He acknowledged Bede's impressive track record in engineering excellence and highlighted the exciting potential for further growth and development in their existing capabilities. Whiteley eagerly anticipates collaborating with the team at Bede to provide state-of-the-art technology for the igaming industry.

Colin Cole-Johnson, the Chief Executive Officer of Bede, expressed his excitement about Dan joining the company. As the Chief Technology Officer, Dan will play a crucial role in pushing forward our technological approach. He will work closely with all departments within the company to guarantee that Bede remains at the forefront of the industry with groundbreaking and advanced solutions.

"He will play a crucial role in all aspects of Bede's operations, both within the company and in its interactions with the outside world. His vast expertise in leading technology teams makes him an ideal candidate for this position."

Donna Cooper has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director for SkyCity, providing guidance and advice to the board in an advisory capacity.

The appointment is dependent on receiving approval from every governing body in each gaming region SkyCity operates in, a procedure that typically requires several months to finalize.

If given the green light, Cooper will take over from Sue Suckling, who is stepping down, as a Non-Executive Director on the board. Cooper has extensive expertise in the financial services sector, with a remarkable career spanning more than two and a half decades. She served as the Chief Executive Officer of TSB Bank in her most recent role.

Located in New Zealand, she has also worked for The Warehouse Financial Services Group, Baycorp (NZ) and American Express International.

In addition, Cooper is affiliated with the New Zealand Institute of Directors and the Global Women’s Leadership Network. Until July 28, she will continue to hold the position of Chair for the Domestic Banks Group within the NZ Bankers’ Association, as well as being a member of the NZ Bankers’ Association’s Governing Council.

Julian Cook, the Chair of SkyCity, stated: "Donna has a vast amount of experience in the financial services sector, particularly as the CEO of TSB Bank Limited. During her tenure, she successfully facilitated major changes within the organization, addressed important regulatory requirements, and oversaw an increase in residential lending."

The SkyCity Board is thrilled to welcome her on board as she brings a wide range of international knowledge and skills. She has had extensive experience in establishing and overseeing intricate connections within both the public and private sectors. We are extremely pleased that she has accepted our invitation to join the SkyCity board.