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UK – 888 appoints Lord Mendelsohn as Chair Designate

By Lewis - 23 September 2020

888 has announced the appointment of Lord Jonathan (Jon) Mendelsohn as a Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate with immediate effect. Jon has also joined the Board’s Remuneration Committee and Audit Committee.

Jon’s appointment to the board follows an extensive search process conducted by the Board’s Nominations Committee as part of the Group’s succession planning.

Following a handover period to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities, Jon will succeed Brian Mattingley as Chair of the Board when Brian stands down from the Group at the next Annual General Meeting in May 2021.

Brian Mattingley, Non-Executive Chairman of 888, commented: “We are delighted that Jon has accepted the offer to join the Board and become the next Chair of 888. Jon has tremendous knowledge of the global online gaming industry, extensive deal-making experience and fantastic leadership qualities.

“I am very confident that the Board will benefit significantly from Jon’s vast understanding of our sector as the Group continues its exciting long-term development.

“It has been a great privilege to Chair 888 and serve its stakeholders during more than 15 years with the Group. I am personally very pleased that someone of Jon’s experience and calibre will succeed me as Chair and I look forward to working closely with him over the coming months.”

Jon is a highly experienced gambling sector professional with more than 20 years’ industry experience that includes co-founding Oakvale Capital LLP, a leading M&A and strategic advisory boutique focusing on the gaming, gambling and sports sectors. He is the Senior Adviser to Value Retail, the developer and operator of luxury outlet shopping villages.

Anne de Kerckhove, Non-Executive Director and Chair of 888’s Nominations Committee, commented: “We are very pleased with the outcome of our extensive search for a new Chair. We engaged with a number of outstanding candidates. Jon’s vast industry experience, broad skill-set and proven leadership qualities made him the stand-out individual to succeed Brian. I am looking forward to working together with Jon on the 888 Board.”

Jon co-founded LLM Communications, a corporate and public affairs consultancy which was acquired by Financial Dynamics to create one of the largest global financial and business communications companies. He served as a Managing Director and later as Chairman of the Global Issues Division, including after it was acquired by FTI Consulting.

Jon is also an investor in early stage and start-up companies in areas ranging from technology to energy. Jon is a Labour life peer who has sat in the House of Lords since October 2013 and sits on the International Relations and Defence Committee.

Jon Mendelsohn, Non-Executive Director of 888 and Chair Designate, commented: “I am very excited to join the Board of such a world-class gaming operator. 888 is a company that I have long admired during my more than 20 years working with companies in the gaming and gambling industries. The Group has a number of very exciting opportunities and I am looking forward to working closely with the Board and the management team to continue to deliver the Group’s growth strategy and generate further stakeholder value.”