Gamesys’ new chief executive Lee Fenton told eGaming Review it was business as usual at the London-based gaming firm despite a new-look management team, with founder Noel Hayden still “custodian of the long-term vision”.
Fenton was promoted from chief operating officer after chief exec Noel Hayden moved to executive chairman following the resignation of chairman Roger Devlin, with director of gaming operations Robeson Reeves stepping up to the COO role.
However, Fenton told eGR the management reshuffle “doesn’t signal any change” in the Gamesys business model, with the firm committed to finding new opportunities in the market.
“We remain an entrepreneurial company that is willing to invest and work out where we can place smart bets to continue to grow our business,” Fenton said.
“Our primary goal for the coming years is to continue to drive the success and growth of the Jackpotjoy proposition.
“We will grow the remaining Gamesys assets, such as Virgin Games, and will always consider exciting new opportunities that can benefit some or all of our and partners’ brand portfolios,” he added.
The management reshuffle comes just months after Gamesys sold its key Jackpotjoy, Botemania and Starspins brands to Intertain for £423m, with Hayden being awarded a seat on the firm’s board.
And Fenton said Hayden’s workload had increased since the deal and that had played a role in his decision to relinquish a little of his Gamesys’ responsibilities.
“Noel is a busy man and since the partnership deal with Intertain was struck, if anything he has got even busier,” Fenton said. “He recognised that many day-to-day decisions needed his blessing and that even he couldn’t be in two places at once.
“Noel remains the custodian of the company’s longer term vision. He’ll still be highly active and visible within the company working across a wide range of initiatives,” he added.
Gamesys said that Fenton’s focus for the coming months will be on implementing the firm’s “ambitious” growth targets and future programs both for Intertain and its own Virgin Games offering.
