SBC News EIG 2015 - Gareth Davis: William Hill - On Reputation

EIG 2015 – Gareth Davis: William Hill – On Reputation

Davis
Gareth Davis – William Hill 

Amid changing and more challenging market conditions, the industry’s overall reputation and political agenda has become a prominent issue for all betting operators.

SBC and EIG met with Gareth Davis William Hill Chairman to gain insight on how debate and government discussions are progressing for the industry as a whole.

With 38 year executive career, Davis former CEO of Imperial Tobacco tells EIG delegates that the betting and gaming industries have a lot to learn in creating effective and open political agenda and communications.

__________________________________

SBC: With new taxes, laws and regulations impacting the igaming sector, Industry reputation has become a prominent agenda. However in your opinion is the context and debate regarding industry reputation fully understood? Can you outline what is really at stake when discussing reputation?

Gareth Davis: No, I don’t believe the debate regarding the industry’s reputation is fully understood and the industry must bear a large part of the responsibility for this as a result of a lack of engagement in the debate until relatively recently.

Industries which sit in the public eye will always attract single issue pressure groups whose purpose is to latch onto and emphasise anything negative about the industry and portray that as the norm. In reality, millions of people enjoy the products of these industries and, overwhelmingly, they enjoy them in a responsible way because these industries are invariably responsible in their approach.

It is much better to have these industries run by reputable and ethical businesses that fund research into the related problems and have genuine customer care at the heart of their culture. To do otherwise would create the real danger of an illegal market; this would be to no one’s benefit.

SBC: 2014 saw the launch of the joint industry watchdog the Senet Group. Many have been critical that the standards association has been set-up too late to have an impact. What are your thoughts on this matter, and what should the Senet Group focus on to improve the industry’s political relationships?

GD: I would argue that whilst the foundation of the Senet Group could have perhaps happened earlier, most importantly, it is a significant and decisive step in the right direction.

The Senet Group should be widely welcomed by government, our customers and our detractors. Its core principles are embedded in corporate responsibility and only the most cynical critic would question its existence and purpose.

Senet is the clear voice of the industry in a political and social context, and it is focussed on being a relevant and trusted partner in dialogue with government and regulators. I look forward to seeing its membership grow and its impact increase as other gambling providers join.

Expectations of us as industry leaders are changing and so has the world in which our businesses operate; inevitably, this leads to greater scrutiny and new responsibilities.

SBC: With regards to reputation management, can corporate governance be expected to control and maintain reputational matters and standards as more operators engage in open marketing verticals with their customers?

GD: The subjects of corporate governance and reputation management are relatively recent additions to the management agenda, but they have built resonance very quickly. Corporate governance cannot be expected to solve all problems, but, when based upon a sound system of well-constructed processes within a highly ethical framework, it can certainly be effective. Leadership and culture are vital here. Whatever the ownership profile of a gambling business, it should have high ethical standards at the core of its governance processes and this should permeate through all levels of the business with a very clear “tone from the top”.

William Hill has made significant progress on this front and is wholly committed to promoting responsible gambling through its business. The use of behavioural analytics to help identify those customers who might be at risk and the significant training given to their retail staff are just two examples. Whilst no solution can ever be considered to be perfect, this is all about striving for and delivering continued incremental change.

SBC: Corporate reputation is a broad and subjective matter. How can the industry measure success on reputation, in your opinion what would ultimately represent progress for the industry?

GD: Yes, it is subjective but corporate reputation can be measured, at least in broad terms, via surveys and engagement studies etc. What would represent progress would be a wider societal recognition of the positives the gambling industry delivers as a significant employer, community contribution and engagement, and the pleasure it responsibly delivers to its customers.

SBC: Finally as a headline speaker on Industry Reputation at EIG 2015, what do you want attending delegates to take away from your session?

GD: I would like the attending delegates to leave the session recognising that this is an industry they should be proud to be a part of. It contributes hugely to the fabric of society in all sorts of ways and it is not slow to confront and deal with its problems. We should not be afraid of the greater scrutiny we find ourselves under and, if anything, we should welcome it.  Let’s go out and talk about the positive impact that we have in local communities, on employment opportunities and the revenue we provide for public services in the taxes we pay, and the support we give to sports.

_______________________

Gareth Davis – William Hill Chairman

 

willhill

308076_EiG04a_250x250px_2015_web (2)

Check Also

Per Widerström, 888 CEO

888 narrows 2023 losses as Widerström Evokes new vision 

888 Holdings declares that it has established the foundations for future sustainable growth under new …

William Hill and PA Betting Services renew racing data deal

William Hill welcomed back as Lincoln Handicap sponsor

William Hill has been announced as the sponsor of the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster Racecourse. …

SBC News William Hill introduces four new horseracing ambassadors

William Hill introduces four new horseracing ambassadors

William Hill has added four new horse racing representatives to its ambassador portfolio. The British …