The Gala Coral Group has today announced that Dominic Harrison, currently the Group’s Chief Operating Officer, will take over from Neil Goulden as Chief Executive of the Gala Coral Group, on the 1st October 2008.
The Group is also announcing today that John Kelly OBE, the Group’s founder and Non-Executive Chairman has announced his decision to leave the Group in October 2009 to pursue his other business interests. The Group Board has asked Neil Goulden, to succeed Mr Kelly as Chairman in October 2009.
In order to facilitate a seamless transfer of responsibilities, Mr Goulden will, from 1st October 2008 become Executive Deputy Chairman. Mr Goulden will focus primarily on external affairs including the development of the Group’s growing international presence and relationships with the Gambling Commission and other Governmental bodies.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Dominic Harrison said,
“I would like to pay tribute to the enormous contribution that both John Kelly and Neil Goulden have made to the Gala Coral Group over recent years. Their drive and vision for the Group dating back over a decade has enabled the company to grow into the largest integrated betting and gaming company in Europe.
I am delighted that John is continuing as Chairman for a further year and that Neil has been asked by the Board to become Deputy Chairman, and then to succeed John as Chairman so that they are both available to advise and work alongside me and the Executive Management team to help further grow the company in the UK and overseas.
After successfully completing a restructuring of the Group’s banking arrangements in May of this year and the establishment of a new five year plan I am very excited about the growth opportunities now available to the Group.”
For Further information please contact:
Crag Leviton on 020 7611 1760 / 07958 437 952
Notes to editors:
1. John Kelly formed the Gala Group in 1997 following a Management Buy-In from Bass.
2. In December 2000, the Gala Group acquired 31 casinos from Ladbrokes.
3. Neil Goulden joined the Gala Group in 2000 as Managing Director and in April 2004 was appointed Chief Executive of the Gala Group.
4. John Kelly became Chairman of the Gala Group in April 2004.
5. Dominic Harrison joined the Gala Group in 2004 as Trading Director, and has since been the Managing Director of the e-commerce division over-seeing the successful launch of galabingo.com and has also acted as Managing Director of Gala Bingo.
6. Dominic was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Gala Coral group in October 2007.
7. Together, John Kelly, Neil Goulden and Dominic Harrison were part of the Gala team that acquired Coral Eurobet in July 2005 which and formed the Gala Coral Group.
8. John Kelly will continue as Non-Executive Chairman of Trainline, Chairman of the Kings Park Capital Equity Group and a Board Member of Business in The Community (BITC).
