Entain has disclosed changes in its leadership structure. Barry Gibson, the current Chairman of the Board, has notified his intention to retire from his position, as well as from the Board itself.
Gibson's retirement is expected to be effective by the end of September 2024, possibly earlier depending on the appointment of a permanent CEO, which is currently under search and progressing smoothly.
Gibson has been an active Chair, giving Gambling Insider an in-depth interview on the Huddle last year.
Meanwhile, Grainne Hurst, Entain's Group Corporate Affairs Director, also recently appeared on the Huddle to provide company updates.
The succession planning process has resulted in the selection of Stella David as the incoming Chair upon Gibson's retirement.
David has been serving as a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director since March 2021 and assumed the role of Interim CEO in December 2023.
Gibson's tenure as Chairman, beginning in February 2020, has seen various developments within Entain. Under his guidance, the company underwent a transformative phase from GVC to Entain, witnessing enhancements in operational quality, revenue generation and governance protocols.
His leadership oversaw milestones, including board renewal, a strategic focus on regulated markets and the resolution of regulatory matters such as the HMRC investigation into legacy Turkish operations, when Entain was fined £585m ($740.7m).
Pierre Bouchut, Entain’s Senior Independent Director, said: "Barry has worked tirelessly to navigate the company through numerous challenges and on behalf of everyone connected with Entain I would like to sincerely thank him for his enormous contribution to this business.
"The Board has been succession planning and reviewing potential options to replace him and we are delighted that Stella will be taking over as Chair. Her extensive Board and Chair experience as well as her time as Interim CEO will be hugely beneficial to the Board and the wider Group as she takes on her new role."
Gibson himself commented: "It has been a privilege to lead the Board of Entain for the past four years and while I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at this dynamic, exciting and innovative business, I reflected a little while ago that 2024 would be the right time for me to retire. I am delighted that, in Stella, Entain has an exceptional successor who knows the business well and has already proven herself to be a firm hand on the tiller in her role as Interim CEO."
These developments follow reports of Entain's potential divestment of several overseas brands, including BetCity, Enlabs, CrystalBet and potential Australian assets.
