The Stars Group Inc. has announced a series of new executive management appointments to its recently acquired UK business, Sky Betting & Gaming (SBG), after the acquisition was officially cleared by the UK Competition & Markets Authority (CMA).
The appointments are aimed at executing on the company’s integration plans, including the delivery of expected cost synergies, The Stars Group said.
They include former Sky Betting & Gaming CEO Richard Flint as Executive Chairman, former Chief Financial OfficerIan Proctor as CEO and former Director of the Sky Vegas, Sky Casino, Sky Bingo and Sky Poker Brands, Conor Grant, as Chief Operating Officer. Flint and Proctor will report to The Stars Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Rafi Ashkenazi, while Grant will report to Proctor.
“I am looking forward to helping shape the next chapter of growth for SBG as part of The Stars Group,” said Flint. “I am confident that the new management structure, which includes an operational board for SBG, will allow us to maintain our unique culture that has delivered success over the years and continue delivering market share gains in the UK online betting and gaming market, building on our position as the UK’s most popular online betting brand.”
Flint has been with SBG for nearly 16 years and has served as CEO for the last 10. He has over 20 years’ experience in online businesses, starting as a Channel Director at FT.com and then as Product Director of online start-up flutter.com, which merged with Betfair in 2001. He was appointed as SBG’s Chief Financial Officer in 2008. From 1993 until he joined SBG, Proctor held a series of senior finance roles at Sky plc.
Grant, meanwhile, joined SBG in 2010 where he previously served as the Head of Sportsbook Products and Director of Products, then as Director of SBG’s gaming brands since 2014. He has nearly 20 years’ experience in the gaming sector, having previously worked for Paddy Power, Blue Square and Boylesport.
The Stars Group also announced two senior appointments, including Andy Burton as Senior Vice President, Global Sports Platform, and Vaughan Lewis as Group Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications.