With plenty of movers and shakers around the industry, allow CasinoBeats to give you the rundown on a number of recent manoeuvres.
GVC Holdings
Tessa Curtis has been appointed to the newly created role of head of media relations at GVC Holdings, ahead of officially joining the firm on September 1.
In the role, Curtis will be responsible for all corporate communications for the group across the UK and international markets, and will report to both Grainne Hurst, group corporate affairs director, and David Lloyd-Seed, director of investor relations and external communications.
Hurst commented: “Tessa’s appointment will help GVC to amplify its ambitions, values and unique competitive advantages as the company continues to strengthen and build its core team.
“She will join both the expanding corporate affairs and investor relations teams at GVC, and will work closely with Jay Dossetter, who has recently been promoted to head of ESG and press office.”
Golden Matrix
Golden Matrix, a developer and licenser of social gaming platforms, systems and content, has appointed Aaron Richard Johnston to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately.
Lauded as bringing “vast commercial and operational experience,” Johnston currently holds remote gaming licenses for the UK and Ireland, and has a personal management licence with the UK Gambling Commission.
“We are thrilled to expand the board of directors with Aaron’s appointment,” stated Golden Matrix CEO Brian Goodman. “As a result of his extensive experience and success with some of the world’s most successful gaming enterprises, Aaron will be instrumental in helping Golden Matrix grow and evolve into a major gaming company operating in multiple vertical markets.
“Aaron’s addition to the board is also another important step in preparing the company for its uplisting to NASDAQ.”
Gaming Laboratories International
Gaming industry testing house Gaming Laboratories International has promoted Karen Sierra-Hughes to vice president of Latin America and Caribbean.
Sierra-Hughes has been with GLI since 2004, driving the firm’s strategy for both regulatory and business development throughout the Latin America and Caribbean region.
Prior to joining GLI she practised law in the Republic of Panama and was later appointed legal director of the Panama Gaming Control Board.
“We are thrilled to announce Karen’s promotion and signalling our absolute commitment to the gaming industry’s success throughout Latin America and the Caribbean in all its forms – land-based, lottery, and online,” said GLI President and CEO James Maida.
“Karen has been an integral part of GLI’s mission in Latin America and the Caribbean. She and her team work in close collaboration with government officials – as well as gaming and lottery suppliers and operators – helping them navigate the future of gaming.
“Their expertise supports these stakeholders’ efforts in establishing well-regulated environments and a successful and sustainable industry. Karen’s leadership, knowledge and passion for her client’s success translates into the appreciation that the industry and her team have for what she does.”
Flutter Entertainment
Flutter Entertainment has announced that Rafi Ashkenazi has stepped down as a non-executive director of the group with immediate effect.
Ashkenazi initially joined The Stars Group in January 2013 and served as the CEO from March 2016 up until the completion of the combination of TSG and Flutter on 5 May 2020, after which he continued on the board of the latter as a non-executive director.
Gary McGann, chair of Flutter, said: “I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the major contribution of Rafi in creating the exceptional business that is TSG.
“Rafi has made a significant impact on TSG during his seven-year tenure and was instrumental in transforming TSG from a single product operator to a diverse global leader with multiple product offerings. We wish him well for the future”.
