Entain brings on SG veteran as new CEO

Entain, one of the leading entertainment and gambling companies in the world, has been on the lookout for a new boss since Jette Nygaard-Andersen turned in her resignation amid a rocky patch for the company, and increasing pressure from investors for her to step down.

Since December, Entain has been screening potential replacements, and in fact now appointing its third CEO since the company rebranded from GVC Holdings in 2020, when the position fell with Shay Segev, who quit for DAZN shortly after.

Industry heavyweight to take over Entain

Yet, the new chief executive, Gavin Isaacs, the former man-at-the-helm at Scientific Games Corporation, and a person who has worked across numerous prominent industry entities, among which are DraftKings, Bally Technologies, Aristocrat Technologies, and SB Tech, seems poised to serve a longer stint with the company. His experience spans more than 25 years in the industry.

The choice of Isaacs is reflective of the company’s own ambitions to spread a multi-vertical and multi-jurisdictional business model that allows it to put both investor qualms to rest, but similarly to drive unassailable financial performance.

Isaacs will take over the reins at the company effective from September 2, 2024, and he will work closely with Stella David, the interim CEO, with the pair sticking to Entain’s previously outlined succession plan that seeks to juggle the corporate pecking order in the company.

David, for her part, will be taking over Barry Gibson’s position as Chair of Entain, as the latter will be stepping down on September 30,2024. Isaacs has welcomed his appointment and said that he is excited to work with the company, its teams, and its iconic brands.

"I am confident that Entain has an extremely bright future, and I look forward to leading the Group in capitalising on the opportunities ahead and creating value for all its stakeholders."

Entain’s top brass is confident about Isaacs's arrival

Gibson has welcomed the news on a similarly upbeat note, welcoming Isaacs to the Entain family. He similarly hailed his leadership and operational experience, and threw his support behind him as the person to write the next chapter in Entain’s history.

"I would also like to thank Stella David and colleagues for the significant operational improvements and progress made so far towards our strategic priorities," Gibson added.

As to David, she said that she was looking forward to both working with Isaacs in helping him settle into the new position as well as transitioning to her new responsibilities as the company’s chair.

"I am confident that with Gavin’s leadership we will realise the ambitious plans that we have for Entain," she concluded.

Image credit: Entain Group