Andy Hornby departs GVC for Wagamama CEO role

Ladbrokes Coral COO Andy Hornby has left the egaming industry to become chief executive of The Restaurant Group, a publicly-listed retail giant.

The Restaurant Group runs more than 650 restaurants across the UK, under the Wagamama, Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito and Brunning & Price brands. It also owns concessions in UK airports.

Harvard-educated Hornby was a key member of Kenny Alexander’s management team.

He joined Coral as CEO in 2011 before becoming COO of Ladbrokes Coral and Co-COO of GVC as a result of the £4bn merger in 2018.

Andy Hornby (centre)

Alexander said Hornby led the Ladbrokes Coral retail and digital businesses to outperform the market and was leaving the firm in a stronger position than when he started.

Alexander said: “Over the last eight years Andy has been instrumental in the turnaround and growth of the Ladbrokes Coral businesses.

“The business has genuinely been transformed under Andy and I have really enjoyed working with him and would like to thank him for his valuable contribution to the Group.

“We congratulate Andy on his new role and wish him well for the future,” he added.

The move is Hornby’s first CEO role since his controversial exit from HBOS at the end of 2008, when the bank had to be rescued by Lloyds TSB.