SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Ian Chuter, former group operations director at both William Hill and Betfair, has joined Playtech as a strategic advisor with a specific remit focusing on gaming, sports betting and M&A.
Chuter, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the gaming industry, will join Playtech on November 2 following a four and a half year period at Betfair where he was responsible for risk, fraud, payment, customer services and sports operations and was part of the management team that led the business to huge success during its biggest period of change.
The well-respected industry expert spent almost a decade of his career at William Hill where he went from overseeing retail and online, to all gaming and sportsbook operations, finally taking over the reigns as William Hill group director of operations for both the UK and international arms of the business in January 2009.
Chuter was instrumental in the team that negotiated the William Hill Online joint venture agreement with Playtech in 2008. The deal was one of the most successful in gaming history with William Hill acquiring Playtech’s 29% stake for more than £400 million in March 2013 and its former Chief Executive Ralph Topping describing it as a “major milestone” for the operator.
Chuter began his gaming career as sales and marketing director at the Rank Group, leaving in 1997 to join high street gaming business Talarius and joining William Hill in 2001. He won the prestigious Bookmaker of the Year and Retail Operator of the Year awards, both in 2010.
Shimon Akad, COO, Playtech, commented on the appointment: “Ian is one of the best operators in the business. He has a proven track record of managing large-scale transformational projects and delivering great success everywhere he has worked.
“We’re delighted he has chosen to join Playtech and I’m confident he will be an invaluable member of the senior management team as we continue to grow this incredible business.”
Ian Chuter, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Playtech at such an exciting time. I know the management team very well from my days at William Hill and am really looking forward to working closely with them on a number of very exciting projects.”
