Exclusive: 888 reshuffles executive pack as £2bn William Hill deal completes

888 has confirmed its new executive lineup following the completion of the £2bn acquisition of William Hill International from Caesars Entertainment, with senior Hills executives set to join its management team.

The appointments come after the group revealed it was making “excellent progress” on integration efforts, with the acquisition and absorption of William Hill International completing today.

EGR can exclusively reveal Hills UK managing director Phil Walker, who led the business through the Covid-19 pandemic period after his appointment in 2020, will become UK managing director.

Walker had combined responsibility for overseeing the 88-year-old bookmaker’s UK online and retail operations across its network of 1,400 shops, and will be pivotal in realising omni-channel opportunities for online-only 888.

Joining Walker in transitioning over to 888 is former Hills chief people officer Mark Skinner, who oversaw the implementation of the ‘Balance’ workplace strategy, which encouraged employees to return to the office environment following lockdown.

Rounding out the transfers to 888 is New York-based Satty Bhens, who has served as chief product and technology officer at William Hill since November 2019 and will now fulfil the same function at 888.

EGR can also confirm former group head of regulatory compliance at fintech Revolut Harinder Gill has been recruited by 888 to the newly created role of chief risk officer.

It is understood details of Gill’s role are still being confirmed, however he will take up his position from 3 August and report into 888 CEO Itai Pazner.

Pazner will continue to lead the business, which roughly trebled in size on the completion of the acquisition of William Hill International, and its three million-plus active online customers across the William Hill and Mr Green brands.

Chief financial officer Yariv Dafna and chief strategy officer Vaughan Lewis both continue in their current roles.

Elsewhere, Guy Cohen has been confirmed as the permanent COO of the new business, having been made interim COO in March.

888 chief transformation officer Naama Kushnir, a former COO of 888, will continue in her role for the larger 888 group.

William Hill CEO Ulrik Bengtsson, whose departure from the bookmaker was confirmed last week by EGR, and group chief financial officer Eric Hageman are the most high-profile exits from the enlarged group.

Discussing the new lineup, Pazner said: “I am delighted to announce the completion of our transformational combination with William Hill, together creating a global betting and gaming business.

“We are excited to welcome Mark Skinner, Satty Bhens and Phil Walker from William Hill, as well as Harinder Gill from Revolut, to our executive leadership team.”

Pazner continued: “Their extensive expertise and experience will further bolster our highly talented global team, helping us combine strengths from both businesses and creating a powerful platform for growth. I look forward to working with them over the coming months.

“I’d also like to thank Ulrik and Eric for their contribution to William Hill, and I wish them well for the future.

“I’m also delighted that the strong leadership teams from both businesses will continue to work with the executive team to shape our future,” he added.

For financial reporting purposes, the 888 larger group is expected to be split into four segments; the main 888 business, which also includes the US operations, William Hill Online UK, William Hill Retail UK and William Hill International.

888 has also said that any future organisational changes will be managed with the primary objective of “maintaining momentum” within each business and maximising acquisition led benefits.

The group has confirmed anticipated pre-tax cost synergies of at least £100m by 2025.