Camelot chief’s departure leads to restructuring
NATIONAL Lottery operator Camelot yesterday announced its chief executive, Dianne Thompson, is retiring after 14 years in the job.
The gaming company also unveiled restructuring plans to split the group into two separate entities over the next six months, in a move to maximise growth.
Andy Duncan, Camelot’s UK managing director since 2011, will become chief executive of Camelot UK Lotteries while Nigel Railton, currently group finance chief, will take over as chief executive of Camelot Global Services as part of the split following Thompson’s departure.
Thompson, who has worked at Camelot for 17 years in total and led the group to win two licence competitions to operate the National Lottery, plans to retire from her post at the end of October.
“Under her leadership, the UK National Lottery has gone from strength to strength – with long-term sales growth of over 35 per cent and more than £21bn raised for National Lottery Good Causes during her time as chief executive,” said Camelot’s chairman Lee Sienna.
Thompson will continue to make herself available to Camelot in a consultative capacity, but will spend the rest of her time pursuing other business and charitable interests.
“Having successfully broken into the fiercely-competitive global lotteries market, the group is also on a great footing to fulfil its long-term international growth aspirations,” said Thompson.
“Under their leadership, I know that the business – soon to be two businesses – will flourish.”