WILL HILL BOSS TO DEPART SOONER

28 September 2007

Chairman to take over role of CEO until a replacement is found


Despite reports earlier this year that he would be departing the William Hill hotseat at the end of the year, CEO David Harding is to leave three months earlier - at the end of September - according to an announcement from the company. Chairman Charles Scott will become an executive director until Harding's replacement is found, the London-based company said, adding that the search for a successor is "well underway."

Towards the end of June this year, Harding announced his intention to depart the group to devote more time to family interests (see previous InfoPowa report)

51-year-old Harding joined the gambling group in August 2000 from financial company Scottish Amicable, where he was deputy chief executive, and oversaw its initial public offering in June 2002. William Hill expanded under Harding's leadership with 2005's agreement to buy competitor Stanley Leisure plc's betting shops and boosted profit by 47 percent last year.

The company has expanded in Italy and Spain and benefited last year as more gamblers wagered on electronic terminals and soccer's World Cup spurred betting. Annual profit rose to GBP 166.8 million from GBP 113.1 million in the prior period.

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