William Hill reshuffles online management team

William Hill has announced a number of changes to the senior management team for its online division.

Steven Reid, who had been serving as special projects director, will now move to the role of chief operating officer for online on an interim basis, while the firm searches for a permanent incumbent.

Reid has been with the bookmaker for seven years and assisted on a number of major online projects in that time.

He will oversee an effort to improve financial performance through product, marketing and customer retention development within the online division, with support from the directors of sportsbook, gaming and international.

In addition, William Hill Online has appointed Juergen Reutte to the new role of chief experience officer, where he will focus on customer experience and oversee CRM staff within the division.

Commercial and business development director Matthew Gerard has had his responsibilities extended to include business intelligence and payments, risk and fraud operations, with chief financial officer James Davies taking responsibility for compliance and procurement.

Imri Meir, who had been serving as head of risk and fraud operations, is to leave the company.

The management moves come after William Hill reportedly appointed advisory firm KPMG to conduct a strategic review of its digital arm, after the bookmaker revealed a drop in revenue during the opening period of the year.

Crispin Nieborer, managing director of the online division said: “These changes are focused on driving the turnaround of Online's performance by ensuring we have the right team and structure in place, to keep improving our product and our customer's experience, broadening our appeal, and growing internationally.

“There is more work to do, but we are making significant progress on our mobile product, driving up our customer experience ratings, and delivering incremental gains every week.”

Meanwhile, William Hill has agreed to become the title sponsor of British heavyweight world champion boxer Anthony Joshua’s next three bouts.

The bookmaker, which struck the deal with Joshua’s promoter Matchroom Sport, will lend its name to Saturday’s fight between the 26-year-old Brit and unbeaten American challenger Dominic Breazeale at the O2 Arena in London.

William Hill will benefit from branding placement in the ring, on the ring posts and ropes, as well as in media notices, interview backdrops and on promotional material.

The bookmaker will also sponsor UK pay-television broadcaster Sky Sports’ live coverage of this weekend’s fight.
 
“Anthony Joshua is one of the most talked about boxers of our generation and it’s exciting to align our brand to this true British sporting icon,” William Hill’s chief marketing officer Alex O’Shaughnessy said.

Eddie Hearn, managing director at Matchroom Sport, added “AJ is one of the biggest draws in world boxing right now and it’s fantastic to have one of Britain’s biggest brands with us on his journey to greatness.

“We’ve built up a really strong working relationship with William Hill over the last year and I believe it will continue for many years to come.”

Related article: William Hill appoints KPMG to review digital business