BGC praises Kenneth Alexander for driving critical change

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has praised the work of outgoing GVC Holdings Group CEO Kenneth Alexander and his contribution to improving industry standards and driving change through greater responsibility.

Yesterday, GVC announced that Alexander had chosen to end his 13-year leadership tenure, and confirmed that the executive would be replaced by COO Shay Segev.

Dugher stated that Alexander’s ‘achievements in business speak for themselves’, transforming GVC from a small online gambling business to one of the most valuable technology groups listed on the FTSE 100 index.

As GVC CEO, Alexander played a central role in the founding of the BGC, a trade body formed to act as the ‘unified voice’ for UK gambling, working with diverse stakeholders to improve the standards, social responsibility and the representation of the gambling industry.

“Kenny helped create the Betting and Gaming Council because I know he understood that the whole industry needed to drive changes in the future and work for ever higher standards,” said Dugher.

“And as a great racing and football man, he understood his customers and he brought that authenticity, directness and indeed an infectious sense of humour that we will all miss at the BGC. We wish him and his family all the very best.”

Under Alexander’s leadership, GVC launched its ‘Change for the Bettor’ corporate social responsibility campaign, placing safer gambling and customer care as the central focus of the firm’s multi-market operations.

Dugher welcomed the appointment of Shat Segev as GVC’s new leader to continue Alexander’s work in tackling industry challenges.

“In Shay Segev, GVC have a super-talented successor to lead the company,” added Dugher. “He has a proven track record of running the major parts of the GVC business – from Ladbrokes/Coral migration to trading, customer service and their US venture. We look forward to working with him closely, not least on the Government’s forthcoming Review of Gambling.”