Evoke moves for former dentsu head as new chief people officer
Anne Sewell becomes eighth new member of Per Widerström’s executive team he has built since arriving in October last year
Evoke has named former Sky and dentsu exec Anne Sewell to be its new chief people officer as CEO Per Widerström continues to build out his new look senior team.
Sewell joins the William Hill parent company, which rebranded from 888 to evoke earlier this month, after more than five years with dentsu.
She originally joined the advertising giant in October 2018 as chief people officer before departing in February 2024.
She also spent more than two years with Sky across the broadcasting behemoth’s HR division after joining from the Kraft Heinz Company following a 14-year spell.
During her time with the food conglomerate, Sewell rose through the ranks between 2002 and May 2016, eventually leaving the firm as HR director for Europe.
Sewell has replaced former evoke chief people office Mark Skinner who has moved on to pursue an opportunity outside of the gambling industry.
Skinner first joined William Hill in May 2016, becoming UK HR director in June 2020 before stepping up to chief people officer in June 2021.
He retained his role following 888’s acquisition of William Hill’s non-US assets in 2022.
Sewell has become the eighth new addition to evoke’s senior team following Widerström’s arrival in October.
Other appointments to the firm’s top team include ex-DAZN Bet CEO Mark Kemp as chief commercial officer and former Superbet exec Sean Wilkins as CFO.
Speaking on her arrival, Sewell said: “I am thrilled to be taking on this global role with evoke and to work alongside Per and his team.
“This is a really exciting time for our business and I am looking forward to being part of evoke’s future success.”
Widerström took the opportunity to welcome Sewell to the London-listed firm while thanking Skinner for his service.
He said: “I am delighted to welcome Anne as our new chief people officer to bolster our first-class executive team.
“With an incredible track record and extensive experience creating winning cultures, we are confident she is the right person to take our people strategy forward and help us unleash the full potential of our colleagues around the globe.
“I would also like to thank Mark Skinner, who is leaving the group to take up a new opportunity outside the industry. Over his eight years with us, he played a pivotal role in the development of our HR functions and significantly helped us bring the fantastic colleagues from 888 and William Hill together. We wish him well for the future,” the CEO added.