Sazka Group appoints new CEO
Czech gambling giant recruits from within as current CMO steps up to replace Robert Chvátal
Sazka Group has selected chief marketing officer (CMO) Aleš Veselý to become the group’s new chief executive officer (CEO) for its Czech subsidiary.
Veselý, who has served as CMO since July 2013, will replace Robert Chvátal, who is set to become the chair of the Sazka board, while remaining CEO of the international group.
Veselý has served as deputy CEO since January 2018, with his transition to the top role coming as the Czech gambling giant gears up to bid for the UK National Lottery’s 10-year licence, with Camelot’s current licence due to expire in 2023.
The former O2 marketing director will assume the role of CEO as of 1 February and will be based in the Czech capital of Prague.
Chvátal spent eight years as group CEO after joining in January 2013 from T-Mobile Austria, where he also served as CEO from March 2007 to October 2012.
Sazka confirmed a replacement CMO would be recruited in the coming weeks.
Speaking on his appointment, Veselý said: “Over the past eight years, we have managed to take a traditional lottery company and build it into a modern entertainment company.
“My main objective is for Sazka to not only maintain this trend, but above all to develop its long-term strategy as an entertainment company,” he added.
Sazka has this year bolstered its aforementioned UK National Lottery bid with the hire of ex-Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King and lastminute.com founder Brent Hoberman. The duo have joined a specialist advisory board.