Flutter Entertainment is making significant changes to its commercial leadership across its UK and Ireland operations, as Ben Reilly has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer for the group’s UKI brands.
The appointment is part of a more simplified leadership structure for Flutter UKI, as well as a drive to leverage scale in the competitive betting and gaming market.
Commenting on his new role, Reilly said: “I’ve grown up in Flutter and care deeply about our success.
“We have very ambitious plans in the UK and Ireland, and there is huge potential across the Flutter business as AI transforms how we work, develop and innovate. I’m incredibly proud to be taking on this position and look forward to building on our unrivalled position in this market.”
Reporting directly to Chief Executive Kevin Harrington, Reilly will hold responsibility for Flutter UKI’s brands.
Reilly has been a part of Paddy Power since 2010, holding several senior roles including Head of Paddy Power’s Sportsbook, Managing Director of tombola and Flutter UKI’s Chief Product Officer.
“Flutter UKI is a brilliant business with iconic brands, and now is the perfect time to focus on the next phase in our growth cycle,” Harrington stated.
“Like other operators in this market, we face the challenge of rising costs, regulatory pressure and increasing competition, but I truly believe we are uniquely placed to take this challenge head on. I’m very pleased that Ben will be taking on this role and convinced that under him our brands will thrive long into the future.”
A sea of changes
The consolidation of the Flutter UKI commercial leadership under one CCO will also see the departure of long-serving Sky Bet CCO Steve Birch and Paddy Power CCO David Newton later this year.
However, the changes are not part of the 220 jobs that will go across its UKI operations, as reported earlier this month.
“I want to thank Steve and David for the tremendous contribution they have made to Flutter over their time in the business,” added Harrington.
In addition to Reilly’s appointment as Flutter UKI CCO, a new role of Chief Operating Officer is being created, with Dom Crosthwaite, currently head of Sportsbook Product and Trading for Flutter Group, taking up the position.
Crosthwaite will focus on the customer journey, with responsibilities including all product functions, sports trading and customer operations.
Earlier in June, a Flutter UKI spokesperson told iGaming Expert that changes were being made with its UKI operations as part of a wider strategy to migrate its brands onto a single tech platform.
The Flutter UKI spokesperson said: “As part of a broader strategy to bring some of our brands onto a single tech platform – and against the backdrop of increasing cost and regulatory pressure – we have entered into consultation with a number of colleagues.
“While we are working with those affected to explore redeployment opportunities wherever possible, it is likely that some roles will regrettably become redundant later this year.”
