Allwyn has appointed Robert Chvátal, currently Allwyn Group chief executive, as interim CEO of its UK business to drive the transition towards the start of the Fourth Licence of the National Lottery.
The business is due to replace Camelot UK as operator of the UK National Lottery after it was awarded the 10-year, fourth UK National Lottery licence in September 2022, officially ending Camelot’s 28-year tenure as operator.
Allwyn will assume control of operations on 1 February 2024, with Chvátal to oversee the preparations ahead of the switch next year.
Chvátal has led Allwyn Group as CEO and served as executive chairman of the business’s Sazka Czech Republic brand, since 2021. He was also CEO of SAZKA between 2013 and 2020.
Prior to this, he has spells as CEO of both T-Mobile Austria and T-Mobile Slovakia.
“My appointment makes clear the full commitment of the Allwyn Group to the success of the UK National Lottery,” said. “We are immensely proud of having been entrusted with the stewardship of this national institution as the operator for the ten years of the Fourth Licence.
“We will bring the full force of the group to ensure a successful transition from the Third Licence. I look forward to working with our UK team and partners, along with colleagues from throughout the Allwyn Group to deliver on our commitment for a bigger, better and safer National Lottery.”
Craven exits Allwyn
David Craven, who led Allwyn’s UK operations as CEO since July 2021, has left the business.
“I am immensely proud of what the team have delivered and the part I have been able to play over these last two years in leading them,” Craven said. “I recognise that the next period requires a different leadership approach, better connected to our group, and the leadership team of the outgoing licensee, Camelot UK Limited, and this is therefore the right time for change.”
Allwyn UK chairman Justin King added: “I would like to thank David for his significant contribution since he joined us in July 2021. He led the team that won the bid to operate the Fourth Licence and has guided it whilst the various legal challenges have been addressed, since we were awarded Preferred Applicant status in March 2022.
“He leaves with our thanks for a job well done.”
The appointment comes after Allwyn earlier this month finalised a deal to acquire the US-facing Camelot Lottery Solutions unit of companies from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, having agreed to acquire the Camelot UK business last year.
Financial terms of the agreement were undisclosed, but Allwyn did confirm that no changes were planned for the Camelot Lottery Solutions leadership team, adding that business would continue as normal.
Allwyn added that after the acquisition completed, Camelot Lottery Solutions would have access to Allwyn’s own network of resources to support its clients.
