Flutter reveals CEO succession for UK & Ireland business

Flutter Entertainment, the company behind dozens of successful brands from the sports betting and iGaming space, including FanDuel, Sky Betting & Gaming, FOX Bet, Betfair, and others, has revealed plans for the succession of its UK & Ireland chief executive officer, Conor Grant, who has resigned and will leave after 20 years in the gambling sector.

Grant is stepping down in order to focus on his personal and family life, the press release by the company informs. In his stead, Booking.com Trips Division CEO Ian Brown will sit in the hot chair and guide Flutter’s business. He will take the reins over and be in charge of Paddy Power, Sky Betting andGaming, Tombola, and Betfair in the UK & Ireland, replacing Grant and his duties as part of those companies.

Even though Grant spent more than two decades in the gambling industry, his most formative and successful years were part of Flutter. He joined some 12 years ago and was an important internal cogwheel driving progress. He witnessed many important changes over the years, including the sale of The Stars Group.

In the wake of the M&A deal, Grant switched to UK & Irelands business and focused on steering it through one of its most challenging periods – the COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdowns that paralyzed the retail sector. Regardless, Grant proved an inspiration figure and managed to protect Flutter’s interests.

Commenting on his decision to step down, Flutter Entertainment CEO Peter Jackson said that Grant had made significant contributions to the model. He also changed the industry though his involvement in the "Play Well" strategy. Jackson added:

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Conor and will personally miss his sound commercial judgement and a keen eye for business opportunities. I’m sorry to see him leave but wish him well for the future."

Jackson also expressed confidence that his successor, Brown, has all the necessary qualities and the relevant experience garnered from his time at Booking.com that he can now take to the UK & Ireland business unit.

For his part, Grant was similarly moved by these developments and said that he had been proud to be part of helping Flutter spread its business and make deeper changes in the industry. He was confident that his successor and Flutter Entertainment as a whole were in good hands and that the company would continue to perform well under its skilled leadership.

Image credit: Flutter Entertainment