Andrew McIver, Group Finance Director for the last five years, will be appointed CEO with effect from 17 October 2006. At that time, Nigel Payne, current CEO, will become Executive Director, focusing on lobbying for industry regulation in the US and Europe, and assisting Andrew McIver in researching and executing business development opportunities.
Commenting on today\’s announcement, Andrew McIver said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead one of the largest and most exciting companies in this industry. I relish the challenge.”
“I took over the role of Group Finance Director from Nigel five years ago and am delighted that I am now succeeding him again, this time as Chief Executive. Over the past five years, Nigel and I have worked closely together in laying down a long term strategy for Sportingbet and I see my principal task as continuing our focus on brand development and our core “supermarket” philosophy. This approach, through both targeted acquisitions and organic growth has proven to be a successful formula and I intend to drive the business forward on this basis.”
“Over the next few years, I believe that the industry will increasingly emphasise the importance of customer experience. Whether through website personalisation, innovative and focused product development, targeted marketing or enhanced customer service, the consumer\’s experience will be an important differentiator of businesses in the sector. My aim is to ensure that Sportingbet continues to lead the way in this area.”
Commenting on today\’s announcement, Nigel Payne said: “Although I am relinquishing the role of Group Chief Executive, I am delighted to continue as an Executive Director and help Sportingbet onto even better things. Sportingbet has a real depth of management talent that means I can now step down from the day to day responsibilities and concentrate on certain crucial areas such as regulatory development and business expansion.”
“I am extremely proud to have led one of the most successful companies in the industry during its formative years, and that it has now become a significantly profitable international group. One of the achievements of which I am particularly proud, has been the development of a first class management team. Andrew McIver has played a key role in this team and under his leadership I have no doubt that the Group will continue to be very successful.”
Commenting on today\’s announcement, Peter Dicks, Chairman, said: “Nigel has done a tremendous job over the last five years in turning a small player in an immature market into a global operator of considerable scale. The requirements of the business are increasingly demanding and require a broader and strengthened team. The Board is therefore pleased to announce these succession plans to create an expanded management team. We are delighted that Nigel has agreed to stay with Sportingbet to take on a role that is so important to our long term success.”
“As the business has continued to prosper in a rapidly developing industry, the Board has focused on developing a top management team and this was recently evidenced by the appointment of Dave Hobday as Chief Operating Officer. Dave is already making a significant contribution to the team.”
“Andrew McIver has been the number two at Sportingbet for nearly five years and was the unanimous choice of the Board to succeed Nigel. We are confident that his industry experience and familiarity with the Sportingbet culture will ensure continuity and drive the Group onto even greater success in the future.”
Elsewhere at Betonsports, Richard Creed takes over the role of Finance Director and Scott Waller becomes Technology Director. Creed has been with the company since April 2005 as Commercial Director, while Waller has been Chief Technology Officer for the group since last July. David Carruthers, Chief Executive of Betonsports, said: “Richard’s contribution has been very positive over the last year.” He also added: “In the short time he has been with the company, Scott has driven the evaluation and implementation of new software solutions for both our casino and poker products.”
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