Pan-European lottery and sports betting group Sazka Group has announced the appointment of Kenneth Morton as its new chief financial officer.Morton will begin his new role with Sazka on 1 February, joining from private investment group KKCG where he has been serving as head of corporate finance.
During his time with KKCG, Morton spent time working on several projects that involved Sazka, including its voluntary tender offer for shares in OPAP and the related financing, as well as its inaugural international bond issuance.
Prior to his time with KKCG, Morton worked as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank in London, Moscow and Hong Kong, as well as in corporate finance at Thames Water.
“I am delighted to welcome Kenneth to the Sazka Group team; we have worked together extensively on some of Sazka Group’s most important initiatives since he joined KKCG, and his banking and international experience will be valuable assets as we execute our business and financial strategies,” Sazka chief executive Robert Chvatal said.
Morton replaces Peter Stohr, who will remain with Sazka until the end of March in order to assist with the transition.
Chvatal added: “I would like to warmly thank Peter for his commitment and extremely valuable contribution to the development of SAZKA Group over the past five years, helping us to grow the company to scale, ensuring its financial stability and most recently entering in international capital markets.
“After EMMA Capital exited the group in 2019, Peter is now re-joining EMMA Capital as one of its partners and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Morton’s appointment marks the latest major senior financial executive move in the gambling industry. In recent weeks, William Hill confirmed Ruth Prior will depart as its CFO, while online gaming operator 888 announced Aviad Kobrine will step down as its CFO after 15 years with the business.
Elsewhere, software supplier GAN appointed Karen Flores as its new CFO.
