GVC Makes Big Changes in Senior Management

A titan among casino operators, GVC Holdings, is in the midst of an enormous personnel shift right in their high-tier management team, with several new senior executives taking on new roles.

Tom Ritzema, Nick Batram and Paul Tymms have all assumed their new positions within the company and will help it direct its resources towards this year’s financial and strategical objectives.

Jim Humblestone, the brand’s group trading director for nine years, has decided to leave the company. CEO, Kenneth Alexander, was sad to see him leave and paid tribute to him by saying: “I’d like to put on record my thanks to Jim who has been fundamental to our journey from a small AIM listed operator, to our position today, as the world’s largest online-led sports betting and gaming business.”

Trio of Fresh Faces

Replacing Humblestone is Ritzema, who ed GVC in April 2013 when he was appointed head of trading. He has over 18 years of experience in trading business and was already serving as Humblestone’s deputy.

Prior to this promotion, his most recent role was that of a trading director.

As for the other two changes…

…Nich Batran is the new director of corporate strategy and development. He will report directly to CEO and focus on M&A activity. His other priority will be steering the company’s broader strategic direction.

Previously, he was a director of investor relations and external communications. He has an accumulated wealth of 30 years of experience in finance.

Finally, Paul Tymms has been with the company since the Ladbrokes acquisition in 2016 where he worked as director of investor relations.

Good News Don’t Travel Alone

Alexander commented on the appointment of the three individuals:

“Nick and Paul are both highly talented and experienced professionals who will help to guide our strategic development as we move forwards. In his role as Jim’s deputy, Tom has been integral to the success of the group’s trading operations, which has been a key driver of our performance.”

It remains to be seen whether 2019 will be just as good as 2018 was for GVC. The announcement of these appointments and promotions comes shortly after the spectacular report…

…in which it has been revealed that last year’s gross revenue sured all forecasts!

Total net revenue made a 20% jump on annual basis and the underlying earnings before tax, interest, amortization and depreciation should amount to $964.5 million. Details of this will be made public when preliminary full-year results are published on March 5th.

Sweden Calling

The operator also managed to get a hold of Sweden’s license for iGaming, premiering the Swedish version of some of its flagship sites such as PartyPoker and Bwin.

A company statement read: “We are confident that Swedish customers will enjoy what we believe is the best and most comprehensive online gaming experience in the market.”

Source:

“GVC reshuffles senior management team”, igamingbusiness.com, January 21, 2019.