William Hill seeks new international MD as Patrick Jonker departs

Patrick Jonker has chosen to leave William Hill following the announcement of its merger with 888 Holdings.

UK.- Patrick Jonker has stepped down as international managing director of William Hill. His decision comes after Caesars International agreed to sell William Hill’s European assets to 888 Holdings for £2.2bn last month.

A former managing director of Betsson Group, Jonkers joined William Hill in 2019 with the responsibility to lead a recovery after a year of significant losses. He was key to the firm’s £250m acquisition of Mr Green in 2019 to expand into regulated markets outside of the UK.

Group COO Stephen Parry has taken on Jonker’s responsibilities on an interim basis.

Jonker said: “I feel comfortable stepping aside for new management to prepare for the next chapter for William Hill International.”

Group chief executive Ulrik Bengtsson said: “I would like to thank Patrick for his leadership of the William Hill International team over the last two and a half years, and wish him the best of luck in his next challenge.”

The US casino giant Caesars Entertainment acquired William Hill for £2.9bn in April as it seeks to expand in the US sports betting market. It made clear early on that it would sell the company’s European business. 

888 hopes to complete its acquisition of those assets, including William Hill’s retail betting shops in the UK, in the first half of 2022, but, as a reverse takeover, it will need several approvals, including that of shareholders.

It will need antitrust approval and the green light from the UK Financial Conduct Authority.