UK Tote Group adds ex-DraftKings and Paddy Power Betfair head as CCO
Industry veteran Dave Hammond joins pool betting operator to support the execution of its growth strategy
UK Tote Group has installed former DraftKings and Paddy Power Betfair exec Dave Hammond as the group’s new chief commercial officer (CCO) for the UK.
Hammond’s appointment comes as the UK and Irish pool betting operator realigns its senior leadership team as it looks to execute UK and International business and growth plans.
Hammond joins UK Tote from US operator DraftKings where he served as SVP of retail and technical operations between April 2020 and November 2021.
Hammond linked up with DraftKings after the Boston-based firm acquired SBTech as part of its plans to build an in-house tech stack. Hammond had been serving as COO at SBTech since December 2018.
Elsewhere, he spent almost three years with Paddy Power Betfair across its product and B2B arms, as well as a near-decade spell with supplier Inspired Gaming.
As part of the reshuffle, incumbent CCO Jon Knapman will now become CCO for the group’s international arm where he will be responsible for driving the B2B division.
Speaking on his appointment, Hammond said: “I am excited to be joining the Tote and working alongside Alex [Frost, UK Tote CEO], Jon and the wider team as we continue to grow the Tote within the UK market.
“I have watched with interest as the team has revitalised the Tote over the last few years and hope my experience from a number of different roles across the industry will positively support the next phase of the Tote’s growth cycle,” he added.
Frost said: “I am delighted to welcome Dave to the Tote. As we continue to execute our growth strategy for the business and following three years of significant expansion within international markets with many more opportunities on the horizon, we now have two extremely strong leaders focussed on driving the commercial performance of our international and UK businesses.”