Former Ladbrokes quartet launch consultancy firm
Circle Squared debuts with aim to assist the industry in product development, M&A support and process improvement
Four industry stalwarts have joined forces to form consultancy firm Circle Squared, which has a core focus on product development.
Despite just officially announcing the launch, the firm originally got up and running in January 2023 and was started by Mick d’Ancona, Peter Sherman, Clyde Harris and Graham Cassell, each boasting expensive experience and skill set in the sector.
Sherman, Harris, Cassell and d’Ancona all crossed paths at Ladbrokes between 2006 and 2017 before the execs branched off across the industry in a series of B2C and B2B roles.
Sherman, who spent time in the trading team at Ladbrokes, eventually moved on to William Hill and become CPO at Code Factory Group.
Harris, who spent more than 12 years with Ladbrokes, linked up with Sherman at Code Factory Group before taking on consultancy positions with African operator KingMakers and software firm Xiatech.
Cassell departed Ladbrokes in July 2017 and headed to Paddy Power Betfair in October 2019 as director of product engineering, before stepping up to parent company Flutter as MD of shared platforms.
Finally, d’Ancona spent time with SG Digital and NYX Gaming after leaving Ladbrokes in 2011, later becoming KingMakers COO in April 2020 until June 2022.
Commenting on the launch of the consultancy firm, Cassell said the group can help deliver change in the industry where it is needed.
Cassell said: “I’ve been involved in so many industry projects – big and small – so I know how much time and energy can be wasted if the approach is not right.
“We set up Circle Squared because we know things don’t have to be like that and that our direct experience means we can help deliver impactful change where it is most needed.”
Harris remarked that it was an easy decision to work alongside Cassell, d’Ancona and Sherman.
He added: “Deciding to work together as Circle Squared was a no-brainer; I’ve known these guys for a long time and really like working with them.
“And, even more importantly, I know that when we combine our different experience and skills, we offer much more to the industry as a team than as four separate individuals. There’s real strength in our collective.”