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Global sports-betting and gaming group GVC has appointed Barry Gibson as non-executive chairman, succeeding Lee Feldman.

Feldman will step down on February 27, 2020, having served on the GVC board for 15 years, 11 of those as chairman. Gibson is appointed as a non-executive director from today, November 4, before succeeding Feldman in February.

Gibson, the Chairman of HomeServe plc, has extensive experience in the gambling sector, having previously been a non-executive director of William Hill and bwin.party digital entertainment, where he was the senior independent director.

Stephen Morana, senior independent non-executive director at GVC, who led the process to find a successor to Feldman, said: “Our criteria for the new chairman included significant gambling sector experience, a demonstrable track-record of success on a range of high-profile public company boards, and a deep understanding of the evolving corporate governance landscape.

“After an extensive search, Barry stood out as exceeding all of those criteria, and we are delighted that someone of his calibre and experience is joining GVC to help us realise our ambitious plans for future growth.”

Gibson added: “I am delighted to be joining GVC at such an exciting point in its growth trajectory. I have been involved in a number of companies in the gambling sector over many years, and it is immediately clear to me that GVC has industry-leading technology, products, brands, marketing capabilities and people.

“As such, I see enormous potential for this business and am looking forward very much to helping GVC to be the most successful and responsible operator in the sector.”