Kindred Group confirms Nils Andén as permanent CEO
Executive chosen to lead the operator on a permanent basis following interim appointment in May last year as strategic review nears its conclusion
Kindred Group has named Nils Andén as the company’s permanent CEO having held the interim position since May 2023.
Andén, who has led the business through its strategic review following the departure of former CEO Henrik Tjärnström, has been selected by the board of directors to lead the business for the foreseeable future.
The strategic review, which commenced in April last year, is set to culminate in a sale of Kindred to French operator FDJ in a £2.1bn deal.
The Stockholm-listed operator has also decided to exit North America, with operations set to cease in that region by the end of Q2.
Andén had served as Kindred’s chief commercial officer since July 2020 in what is his second spell with the Unibet parent company.
He originally spent a decade with Unibet between 2006 and 2016, joining the company in a business development role before a series of promotions saw him eventually become chief marketing officer (CMO) in February 2012.
The Swede departed the operator in February 2016 and joined CurrencyFair as CMO before returning to the igaming industry with GVC (now Entain) in September 2017 as director of digital marketing.
Speaking to EGR this morning, Andén explained his pleasure and happiness in being named permanent CEO.
He said: “I feel very good and of course, excited. I have been interim CEO but have still performed the duties of a CEO but it gives me and the rest of the organisation some comfort in a time period that has been fairly turbulent.
“I’m super positive and also grateful for the opportunity to drive Kindred forward in 2024 and beyond.
“The official decision was taken yesterday and it was something I have wanted to do since the interim appointment. I’m pleased with that fact Kindred delivered really well in 2023 and I think this is a testament to the board’s trust in me and the wider organisation.”
Evert Carlsson, Kindred Group chair, said: “The board is very pleased to be able to appoint Nils as permanent CEO and that he is willing to take on the job.
“Nils has done an excellent job as interim CEO and is an appreciated leader with a vast knowledge of both Kindred and the online gambling industry.
“We look forward to working with Nils and his team as he continues to lead the company on its strategic direction,” he added.
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