Fred Done hands leadership of Betfred to new CEO

Betfred has named Joanne Whittaker as group CEO, taking over from Betfred’s founder Fred Done. 

UK.- Fred Done, the founder of Betfred, has confirmed the appointment of a new CEO who will take over leadership responsibilities at the UK bookmaker. 

According to the Racing Post, Done sent a personal statement to Betfred employees confirming the appointment of Joanne Whittaker as CEO as of next month. 

Done said that he would return to his previous role as company chairman. He took over leadership duties in 2016 after the departure of John Haddock as CEO.

Whittaker was previously head of Betfred’s IT division until she left in 2005 to set-up Fideliti, an online childcare voucher service, which counted on the support of Done as an investor.

Whittaker grew Fideliti into one of the UK’s leading maternity retail sites, with pre-tax profits of £1.7m in 2019, gaining recognition in The Times Fasttrack 100 list of the fastest growing businesses in UK retail.

Fred Done founded Done Bookmakers as a single shop in Salford in 1967 using winnings from a bet placed on England to win the 1966 World Cup.

He bought the Robert Walker chain of bookmakers in 1997 and began using the name Betfred in 2004. Betfred currently has more than 1,600 retail betting shops.

Betfred has been mentioned as a potential buyer for William Hill’s European retail business following its imminent acquisition by Caesars. 

Fred and Peter Done came third on the Sunday Times tax list for 2020.