Betsson Appoints New Product Directors

Betsson is readying for challenges that lie ahead in 2019 and in anticipation of the year's second quarter has shaken its managerial squad a little.

A pair of top experts – William Hill's Ciara Nic Liam and Svenska Spel's Joakim Thor – have been recruited by the Swedish betting titan and named new gaming product and sports product directors.

Their hiring is part of the ongoing overhaul undertaken after a record-breaking fourth quarter of 2018 during which the company's income rose 14%, for a total annual tally of $582 million.

Betsson's chief strategy officer and acting chief product officer, Peter Zäll, welcomed the new recruits: “Both Cíara and Joakim have vast gaming experience from different parts of the industry. With them joining Betsson, our product team is further strengthened and will stand even stronger for the future.”

Vouching For Future

Liam is former head of gaming and management team's senior member at William Hill...

...a role in which she was held accountable for all of the brand's Gibraltar-based gaming products since joining them in 2016 after a three-year tenure at Rank Group and, before that, at Paddy Power on a position of product and games executive.

Zäll welcomed Betsson's new gaming product director by remarking that Ciara has a proven track record of delivering strong results for products managed and growth revenue ensured.

Master of Online Market

Joakim Thor spent six years at Svenska Spel where he advanced to director of product management...

...Serving under this role, his responsibilities were sports product and services. Following on that position, he served as senior director of advisory services for professional services network PWC where he advised business strategy to clients and oversaw digital transformation.

“Joakim showed substantial increase in online market share for the sports segment under his responsibility. He also had a strong focus on improving the customer experience, which is always a focus for us at Betsson,” said Zäll of Thor's arrival to the ranks.

Casinos Get Their New Director Too

That's not where cards stop shuffling, however:

Joey Hurtado, Betsson's former head of gaming and live, was promoted to managing director of casino brands. He's been with the company since 2017 after spells with GVC, Kindred and 888.

Zäll commended Hurtado's “great job” in such the short span of time he's been a part of the company. His vast experience in gaming, he remarked, will be of great use in order for him to continue delivering excellent results.

Zäll – who himself was brought to Betsson from Svenska Spel as a part of Back on Track strategy that will conclude this month - took a moment to reflect on the firm's inexhaustible well of talents and possibilities to grow and develop professionally.

Source:

“Betsson brings in new gaming and sports product directors”, igamingbusiness.com, February 27, 2019.