SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Stacey Carnell was last night crowned ‘Betting Shop Manager of the Year’ at the Racing Post and SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year event, becoming the fourth Ladbrokes employee to win the prize in the last eight competitions.
The Barnsley betting shop manager was presented with her trophy by ex-England and Yorkshire cricketer Ryan Sidebottom at Lord’s cricket ground on Monday evening.
Voted for by a panel of independent judges, Carnell was recognised for her commitment to customer service and leadership skills, which has helped her Barnsley estate become one of Ladbrokes most successful branches in the UK.
Carnell has been in the industry for 14 years, beginning her career as a cashier at Coral. She became a betting shop manager within five years of joining Coral and then moved to Ladbrokes following the companies’ merger in 2016.
She now manages Ladbrokes shop in Barnsley and is also a regional champion for the north and northeast.
Stacey Carnell said: “I started out at 18 as a cashier with Coral. I knew nothing about bookmakers, and I wasn’t all that clued up on sports either, but I fell in love with the atmosphere in shops and the industry in general and I became a manager within five years. I moved to Ladbrokes during the merger as I was asked to open a store that was relocating to a new premises.
“What people don’t understand about betting shops is that they are social places. It’s a social gathering and a hub where people come and talk to their friends. We get to know our customers so well and look after them. You get to know them on a personal level.”
She said that customers in her shop had cheered when news of her nomination appeared on the television screens and described the team she worked with as “amazing”: “It’s not my accomplishment alone. I’ve had some amazing shops, I’ve got excellent support, the company looks after its people so much.”
Joanne Moran, Retail Operations Director for Ladbrokes, added: “Stacey is an exceptional manager and utterly deserving of this accolade, along with her shop teams, to whom she paid tribute.
“She spoke beautifully about the important community role her betting shops, and all betting shops, provide, and the personal care and attention that she and her shop team show their customers day in day out. She is a credit to Ladbrokes and Entain, and we look forward to shining a spotlight on her amazing achievement in the months to come.”
Mark Renshaw, Racing Post Chief Executive, said: “Stacey is an incredible winner. She is the most deserving champion who has such a customer focus. Betting shop managers do such a brilliant job.”
