Karolina Pelc nominated as Entrepreneur of Excellence at UK National Diversity Awards

Igaming executive Karolina Pelc has been nominated in the Entrepreneur of Excellence category at next year’s UK National Diversity Awards.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 4 February next year.

The aim of the event is to recognise nominees’ achievements in their respective fields, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, faith, religion and sexual orientation.

Pelc has held several high-profile roles at companies including LeoVegas, Betsson Group and Scientific Games and recently launched her own gaming business SharedPlay, a start-up focused on players sharing social gaming experiences online.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, community viewing has become an accelerated genre.

The company will get off the ground with seven-figure backing from a range of investors including former employer LeoVegas, which has built up a 25% stake in SharedPlay.

Reflecting on her nomination, Pelc said: “I am humbled to have been recognised in the Entrepreneur category at the National Diversity Awards.

“Throughout my career, I have sought to promote gender diversity and inclusion at every turn.”

She added: “As the female founder of a tech start-up, I have experienced many of the challenges that all entrepreneurs face, but I was fortunate to find myself in an environment where gender needn’t be a barrier to success.”

Pelc, who is also a host on gambling industry podcast iGaming NEXT, hopes that her openness about her journey in the industry will prove an inspiration to other female entrepreneurs.

ITV will work closely with the National Diversity Awards by highlighting the role models and community organisations on its national and regional channels.

The awards have previously attracted the interest of many celebrities, including Graham Norton, Katie Piper and comedian Sir Lenny Henry, who was last year revealed as Celebrity of the Year.