Robert Hoskin to depart Entain amid regulatory re-focus

Gambling giant Entain announced the departure of chief governance officer Robert Hoskin on Monday, after 18 years of service.

The FTSE 100 company said Hoskin would step down from the board on 30 June 30, but would continue to fulfil his role within the group until the end of August.

It said Hoskin had been an integral part of Entain since 2005, initially serving as company secretary and group director of legal, regulatory and secretariat.

He was later promoted to the position of chief governance officer in October 2020, and joined the board in 2021.

“Robert was exceptionally supportive, welcoming and helpful to me when I joined the board of Entain as a non-executive director in 2019,” said chief executive officer Jette Nygaard-Andersen.

“I was therefore delighted that he agreed to remain in his role after my appointment as CEO, and I have benefitted hugely from his wisdom and counsel.

“He has played an instrumental role in making Entain the success story that it is today, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to him for everything that he has done for me personally and the group more widely.”

Barry Gibson, chair of Entain, added that when he became chairman, he and his colleagues had a “singular focus” on making the business sustainable, concentrating on regulated markets but keeping the entrepreneurial drive within the business.

“Robert has been central to the implementation of that vision and I salute him as a great colleague.”

The decision to restructure certain responsibilities within the organisation had prompted Hoskin's departure.

Entertain said it was planning to focus more on regulatory affairs, recognizing its strategic significance and the exclusive concentration on regulated or regulating markets.

As a result of his departure, current general counsel Simon Zinger would assume the additional responsibilities previously held by Hoskin.

“Entain has been through a period of extraordinary transformation in recent times, and now has strong credentials as a best-in-class, responsible operator with outstanding governance and a clear commitment to sustainability in all its forms,” Robert Hoskin commented.

“I am truly honoured to have had the opportunity of playing a part in that extraordinary journey, and wish everyone at Entain all the best for the future.”

At 1114 BST, shares in Entain were up 0.58% at 1,474.5p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.