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Square in the Air has promoted Ben Cleminson to CEO, as Founder and former Managing Director Bill Esdaile takes the role of Chairman of betting-&-gaming’s biggest marketing and communications agency.
Cleminson, the first employee to join the company back in 2007, has worked alongside Esdaile and the firm’s management team to build Square in the Air into a full-service marketing agency with clients all over the world and a team of more than 50 employees based in London, Manchester and New York.
As part of the restructure, former Director Ollie Drew, who joined Square in the Air in 2009, becomes Chief Operating Officer, with Robin Hutchison, also formerly a Director, who joined the agency in 2012, appointed as Chief Commercial Officer.
The new leadership team will report to Esdaile, who founded Square in the Air in 2006. Today the agency manages the key accounts of Star Sports, Timeform, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (B2C) and Pragmatic Play, Games Global, Codere Online, Light & Wonder + OpenBet, Blueprint Gaming, White Hat Gaming, Simplebet (B2B).
Ben Cleminson, CEO of Square in the Air, said: “It is almost 17 years to the day when I walked into that small side office in a house not too far from Stoke for my first day at Square in the Air.
“Although we haven’t enjoyed quite the same growth as the nearby bet365, it has been an incredible journey, and I don’t think Bill or I could ever have imagined back then where we’d be today.
“I know both Ollie and Robin would agree with me when I say that Bill has been the most incredible mentor and leader, and personally I am truly honoured to step up into the CEO role.
“We have a brilliant roster of clients and a hugely talented team who push themselves every day to think creatively and strategically, always focused on delivering results. We’ll continue to do that and more.”
Bill Esdaile, Founder and Chairman of Square in the Air, said: “I’ve been extremely lucky to have had the loyalty and support of Ben, Ollie and Robin for over 40 years between them.
“The time is right for me to step into a new role as Chairman where I can still strategically be involved but allow the three of them their chance to run the business.
“I’m so grateful for their hard work and dedication, and I look forward to Square in the Air continuing to blossom.”
