Bet365 names new chief product officer for gaming
Nick Hughes steps up into new role after almost a decade with online operator giant, replacing outgoing Alex Nichols to oversee gaming product strategy
Bet365 has named long-term company stalwart Nick Hughes as the group’s new chief product officer (CPO) for gaming.
Hughes is set to replace the former CPO for gaming, Alex Nichols, who confirmed he was leaving the business in January.
Nichols, who also spent time with bwin, Ladbrokes and Betfred during his career, said a desire to move back to the UK after 10 years with bet365 in Malta was a driving factor behind his decision.
His replacement, Hughes, originally joined the Stoke-on-Trent-headquartered operator in August 2014 as a gaming customer service advisor and has since risen through the ranks in his near-decade-long stint with the industry giant.
He was made operations gaming support advisor in May 2015 before being appointed a team leader in December of the same year.
Several promotions in quick succession followed, with Hughes being named a supervisor, deputy manager and then manager of the team within two years.
Hughes became deputy head of gaming in May 2021 before moving up to head of gaming in August 2022. He will now step up to a C-level role for the first time in his career.
He will continue to be based in Malta in his new position.
The move to bet365 was Hughes’ first foray into the igaming industry after an extensive career in recruitment.
Taking to LinkedIn, Hughes said he has “big shoes” to fill in the shape of Nichols, with the former CPO offering his backing to the new exec.
Hughes’ promotion follows a long-term trend at bet365, with the firm continuing to reward and promote internal talent to senior-level positions.
Within the past 12 months, the privately owned firm promoted digital marketing exec Jason Jones to become its global paid social lead, while Nicole Garrett sealed a permanent role as head of corporate affairs after an interim stint as head of public affairs.