888 announces new leadership team
The UK gambling operator has announced its new executive lineup following its acquisition of William Hill’s assets.
UK.- 888 Holdings has completed its £1.95bn acquisition of William Hill’s non-US assets, including the brand’s UK retail estate. And with a very different business going forwards, including land-based bookmakers for the first time, it’s announced a reshuffling of its leadership team.
Itai Pazner will remain chief executive with Yariv Dafna as group CFO. They will lead a new C-level team comprising a mix of 888 and William Hill executives. Vaughn Lewis, who joined 888 from Flutter Entertainment last year, will lead international growth initiatives as chief strategy officer.
Meanwhile, Guy Cohen will serve as chief operations officer (COO), leading day-to-day operations, and William Hill’s Mark Skinner will serve as chief people officer. Satty Bhens, who led technology at William Hill technology, has been named chief technology and product officer, and will oversee the integration of William Hill’s brands, including Mr Green, with 888’s own B2C portfolio of 888 and SI Sportsbook in the US.
Naama Kushnir, previously COO, is now chief transformation officer. Phil Walker, William Hill’s managing director for the UK, will serve in the same position for 888.
888 says its integration of William Hill assets will achieve pre-tax cost synergies of at least £100m by 2025.
Pazner said: “I am delighted to announce the completion of our transformational combination with William Hill.
“We have built an outstanding leadership team, combining strengths from across both businesses, and as I look at the future, the combination of our product and content leadership, powered by our proprietary technology, and our world-class brands, gives us a powerful platform for growth.”
888 chair Lord Mendelsohn said: “This combination brings together two high-quality businesses to create a powerful, global betting and gaming business.
“We believe the acquisition will create significant value for shareholders, creating a combined business with leading technology, products and brands across sports betting and gaming. With a top quality management team, formed from talent from across both businesses, I am confident about our future plans.”
It had previously been announced that William Hill chief executive Ulrik Bengtsson would leave the company after the deal completed. He steps down after three years in the role.
Bengtsson started his time at William Hill as group chief digital officer in April 2018. In that position, he led the integration of MRG Group. Before joining William Hill, he was at Betsson for five years, first as chief executive of its Malta subsidiary, and then as group CEO and president following Magnus Silfverberg’s departure in February 2016. He oversaw the sale of William Hill the US casino giant Caesars Entertainment.
