William Hill appoints Phil Walker as UK & Ireland Online MD
Former MD of sports brands at Ladbrokes Coral to take up the Gibraltar-based role early next year
William Hill has hired former Ladbrokes Coral MD Phil Walker to lead its UK & Ireland Online business, as chief digital officer Ulrik Bengtsson continues to build his senior leadership team.
Walker will take up his new Gibraltar-based role early next year as part of a planned Online restructure once Hills’ acquisition of MRG has been completed.
The restructure will see MRG’s Malta office act as William Hill’s international hub, while Hills’ Gibraltar office will continue to act as the base for the operator’s UK and Ireland businesses.
“It is great to be back in the industry and with one of the most trusted brands in the sector,” Walker said.
“William Hill has ambitious growth plans as it transitions from its retail roots to become more international and more digital and I am pleased to be joining the team as it embarks on this journey.”
Walker has a number of years’ experience in the gambling sector, including senior marketing roles at Gala Interactive and Ladbrokes Coral following the merger.
He joins William Hill from his current role as group chief operating officer at the Gibraltar Stock Exchange.
“Phil comes to William Hill with a strong track record in the industry and will have a clear focus on the UK and Ireland markets moving forward and will be key to achieving our ambitions for digital growth in the coming years,” Bengtsson said.
As part of the restructure, current Online MD Grant Williams will also leave after three years at the company. Williams replaced Crispin Nieboer as MD earlier this year having previously served as COO.
Today’s announcement comes after EGR revealed this week that Hills had appointed Charlotte Emery as its new global brand and marketing director.