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With comings and goings commonplace across the industry, Esports Technologies, Genius Sports, and Yggdrasil all feature in our latest rundown of a number of recent manoeuvres.

Yggdrasil

Yggdrasil has named Christoffer Melldén as the group’s new head of account management, in a move which is praised as representing a strengthening of the supplier’s commercial team.

Melldén has more than seven years’ industry experience and previously held roles at Play’n Go, NetEnt, and most recently Real Dealer Studio where he was commercial director. 

He will manage the supplier’s existing team of eight account managers, overseeing the continued growth of the department based out of Yggdrasil’s Malta office. 

Andrew Pegler, director of commercial operations at Yggdrasil, said: “We could not be happier to welcome Christoffer to our commercial division. 

“He comes with great experience, a wide network of industry contacts, and a brilliant attitude. I think we already have one of the igaming industry’s best commercial teams and we are stepping it up a gear with this important appointment.”

PointsBet

Scott Vanderwel has been appointed as chief executive officer for PointsBet Canada, adding to the online gaming group’s burgeoning presence in the region.

Vanderwel previously served as senior vice president for Rogers Communications, where he oversaw corporate strategy, operational improvement, and digital operations. 

Prior to this, he led the Canadian practice for Monitor Group, a global business strategy consultancy, later acquired by Deloitte. He is the current chair of the Ivey Alumni Network Board.

“We’re thrilled that Scott has agreed to serve as the first CEO of PointsBet Canada and help us build a team and a business strategy that can serve the new Canadian market with the same sort of creativity and customer-focus that our clients in the US and around the world have come to expect from PointsBet,” noted Sam Swanell, PointsBet CEO

“PointsBet is committed to creating products that fit the consumer’s needs, satisfy the important and necessary requirements of regulators, and enable fans to engage with their favourite sports in new and exciting ways. Scott and the team we are building in Canada with help us do just that.”

Cordish Companies

The Cordish Companies has announced what it lauds as “two key executive hires” to its gaming group, with Cathy Beeding joining the team as executive vice president and general counsel and Suzanne Trout becoming executive vice president and chief marketing officer. 

Beeding will gain responsibility for all legal, regulatory and compliance affairs, including oversight of all Live! Casino & Hotel properties in Maryland and Pennsylvania, along with igaming and sports betting initiatives. She will also work closely with The Cordish Companies corporate development team on new projects.

As executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Trout will be responsible for the planning and execution of key marketing and brand development strategies across the Cordish Gaming portfolio.

“Cathy and Suzanne are seasoned professionals with years of industry experience, which will make them instrumental in the company’s growth as we continue to expand our brand across the country,” said Rob Norton, president of Cordish Gaming Group

“We’re proud to add them to our corporate executive team and look forward to the exciting and fresh perspective they will bring to our business.”

Esports Technologies 

Michael Holm has been selected as the new affiliate director of Esports Technologies, where he will help manage the company’s overall affiliate strategy.

In his new role, Holm will take charge of streamlining the group’s affiliate platform and leveraging a network of affiliate partners to deliver a strong performance “across multiple markets and across a wide range of products such as esports, sportsbook, casino and ‘Play for Fun’ games”.

Commenting on his appointment, Holm stated: “After 15 plus years in iGaming affiliation I’m absolutely thrilled to move into the fast-growing esports market with a company as dynamic   as Esports Technologies.” 

“This sector is going through an exciting period and I’m looking forward to working with my new team and building the ultimate affiliate product for the sector.” 

Genius Sports

Genius Sports, the digital sports content and data provider, has appointed Kimberly Williams-Bradley to its board of directors. 

Williams-Bradley, whose addition increases the company’s boardroom to nine members, will act as an independent director as well as becoming part of the board’s audit and compensation committee.

Chair of the board, David Levy, noted: On behalf of the Board, we are delighted to welcome Kim. She is a highly regarded professional with a wealth of experience in the finance and sports media sectors, whose accomplished perspective will strengthen and diversify the Board’s decision-making capabilities. 

“We are pleased to have Kim join our team to help drive our strategic vision as an integral member of our board and audit committee.”