GVC appoints Curtis to new media relations role

GVC Holdings has announced the appointment of Tessa Curtis to the newly created position of head of media relations.

In her new role, Curtis will be responsible for all corporate communications at GVC across the UK and international markets.

Joining GVC on 1 September, Curtis will report to Grainne Hurst, group corporate affairs director, and David Lloyd-Seed, director of investor relations and external communications.

“I am delighted to be coming on board at such an exciting point in GVC’s extraordinary growth, with a new leadership team and a clearly defined set of strategic priorities in place,” Curtis.

“GVC has a vibrant business at the intersection of international growth in e-commerce, sports and entertainment and is fully committed to the very highest standards across all its operations. I’m looking forward to joining a business with such a strong future and a great story to tell.”

Curtis will take on the new role after a spell running her own communications consultancy, working with clients including global executive search firm Odgers Berndtson, e-commerce payments provider Afterpay Touch Group and fashion company Benetton Group.

Prior to this, Curtis led the corporate and financial communications practices at Weber Shandwick Worldwide, following a career in journalism, working as a business correspondent at the BBC and UK newspaper the Daily Telegraph.

“Tessa’s appointment will help GVC to amplify its ambitions, values and unique competitive advantages as the company continues to strengthen and build its core team,” Hurst said.

“She will join both the expanding corporate affairs and investor relations teams at GVC, and will work closely with Jay Dossetter, who has recently been promoted to head of environmental, social and governance and press office.”

The appointment comes after GVC earlier this month reported an 11.2% decline in revenue for the first half of 2020, after online growth failed to offset drops in UK and European retail due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown.

Upon publishing the results, new GVC chief executive Shay Segev set out four key priorities that he said can drive “significant growth” for the group, add value for stakeholders and ensure responsibility in all of its operations.