Sportradar has appointed former Paddy Power Betfair executive Alex Gersh as its new chief financial officer.
Gersh will report directly to chief executive Carsten Koerl and will be responsible for the financial management, planning and performance at the sports data and betting services provider. This will include reviewing major investment decisions and new business opportunities.
Gersh, who begins his new role in the group’s London office immediately, held the CFO role at Betfair from 2012 to 2016 when he guided the group through its merger with Paddy Power. He remained in post serving the expanded group for two years following the merger.
Most recently he held the same position at online car purchasing startup Cazoo, and previously worked in senior financial positions at groups such as British Telecom and Motorola.
Gersh replaces Erik Massmann, who departed the post in February 2020 after six years.
“We are delighted Alex has joined us as our new chief financial officer,” Koerl said. “His expertise is second-to-none with a proven track record in complex organisations.
“He possesses a profound understanding of the sports, betting, mobile and data sectors which will be vital as we enter the next stage of global growth for the business.”
The appointment comes a year after Sportradar’s acquisition of sports betting and gaming platform Optima, and at a time when it is building its presence in Europe and North America. Its partners include the four major US sports leagues and the International Tennis Federation.
“Sportradar is a business I have long admired and I’m thrilled to be joining at such an interesting time for the global sports and betting industries,” Gersh said of his new employer.
“Carsten and the management team have some very exciting plans over the coming years and I’m looking forward to helping the company achieve its goals.”
