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888 Holdings has filed a notice with the London Stock Exchange, confirming that Lord Jonathan Mendelsohn will replace Brian Mattingley as its designate company chairman.
The appointment of Lord Mendelsohn as new chairman is scheduled to take place at 888’s next annual general meeting in May 2021, with Mattingley officially resigning from all governance duties.
In its notice, 888 highlighted Lord Mendelsohn’s extensive experience within the gambling sector, having co-founded strategic M&A advisory Oakvale Capital which focuses on igaming, entertainment and media investments.
A high-profile appointment, Lord Mendelsohn is best recognised as a key adviser to Tony Blair, helping the former PM to execute his 1997 election-winning New Labour campaign strategy.
Lord Mendelsohn’s appointment has garnered media wide attention, closely following last week’s announcement by Flutter Entertainment that former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson had joined the company as a regulatory advisor.
UK gambling faces a critical end of year, as the government ramps up preparations to review the 2005 Gambling Act, focusing on improving industry safeguards and consumer standards.
Lord Mendelsohn commented: “I am very excited to join the Board of such a world-class gaming operator. 888 is a company that I have long admired during my more than 20 years working with companies in the gaming and gambling industries.
“The Group has a number of very exciting opportunities and I am looking forward to working closely with the Board and the management team to continue to deliver the Group’s growth strategy and generate further stakeholder value.”
This morning’s LSE filing sees Brian Mattingley confirm that he will end his 15-year tenure as a 888 director, having re-established the online gambling group as a FTSE blue-chip enterprise.
Mattingley issued the following statement: “It has been a great privilege to Chair 888 and serve its stakeholders during more than 15 years with the Group. I am personally very pleased that someone of Jon’s experience and calibre will succeed me as Chair and I look forward to working closely with him over the coming months.”
