SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
FTSE100 online gambling group, GVC Holdings, has shifted around its senior leadership team, following Jim Humberstone’s departure as Group Director of Trading.
Tom Ritzema, who succeeds Humberstone, has been appointed Group Trading Director. Ritzema has helped facilitate the integration of the trading teams of bwin.party (acquired February 2016) and Ladbrokes Coral (acquired March 2018).
With eighteen years industry experience, Ritzema joined GVC as Head of Trading, in April 2013 upon GVC’s acquisition of Sportingbet.
Nick Batram has been appointed as Group Director of Corporate Strategy and Development, focusing on both M&A activity and the Group’s broader strategic direction.
Batram joined the Group in 2016 as Director of Investor Relations and External Communications. He has over 30 years of expertise working in city-related finance with experience from both the buy-side and sell-side of capital markets.
Meanwhile Paul Tymms is now Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications. Tymms joined GVC Holdings following the acquisition of Ladbrokes Coral, where he held the position of Director of Investor Relations.
Tymms previously held the same role at Coral prior to its merger with Ladbrokes in 2016 and was previously with the leisure group, TUI.
Kenneth Alexander, GVC’s CEO commented: “I am delighted with these appointments which demonstrate the strength and quality of our senior management team. Nick and Paul are both highly talented and experienced professionals who will help to guide our strategic development as we move forwards.
“In his role as Jim’s deputy, Tom has been integral to the success of the Group’s trading operations, which has been a key driver of our performance.”
He added: “When Jim told me that, after nearly a decade with us, he has decided he wanted to move on, Tom was the obvious candidate to succeed him.
“I’d like to put on record my thanks to Jim who has been fundamental to our journey from a small AIM listed operator, to our position today, as the world’s largest online-led sports betting and gaming business”
