Senet Group matches with former online dating chief

Senet Group has confirmed that former Online Dating Association chief executive George Kidd has taken over as its new CEO.

It was reported by Global Dating Insights in July that Kidd was to leave his position, held since 2013, and join the gambling industry self-regulatory body.

The Senet Group and Kidd have now made it official.

Kidd said: “The sector is taking the issue of responsible gambling seriously as is clear from the impressive work to address this across its advertising, its support for Senet’s own campaigns and joint work on a self-exclusion scheme. I am sure Senet will continue to play an important role based on strong relationships with other bodies in the sector and our other stakeholders.”

Kidd has extensive experience in regulatory positions, with his previous jobs including Deputy Director Better Regulation/Equalities Divisions at the Cabinet Office, Chief Executive of phone-paid services regulator PhonepayPlus, formerly known as ICSTIS, and Chief Commissioner of the Direct Marketing Commission, where he still acts as Chair.

It was announced in April that previous Senet Group CEO Ron Finlay had stepped down from the position, which he had held since the body was founded in 2014.

The Senet Group is made up of seven members – Coral, Gala Bingo, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Scotbet, Sky Bet and William Hill.