Nueva Codere, the gaming operator once known has Grupo Codere, has proposed adding former Ladbrokes CEO Chris Bell as the company’s new non-executive chairman.
Bell is currently non-executive chairman of XLMedia and an independent director at the Rank Group. If approved for the new role, he will step down from both positions to work exclusively for Codere.
Bell spent almost 20 years with Hilton Group/Ladbrokes, starting there in 1991. He was appointed to the board of directors in 2001 before going on to become CEO of Ladbrokes in 2006 following the sale of the Hilton Hotels division, remaining in the role until 2010.
Since 2009, Bell has held a number of other senior non-executive roles, including chairman of Game Group and Techfinancials, senior independent director of Quintain Estates and Development, and non-executive Spirit Pub Company, and Gaming Realms.
Bell also currently serves as non-executive chair of Team17 Group, OnTheMarket and a non-executive director of The Royal Airforce Charitable Trust.
“Codere, has demonstrated over the past 40 years its fundamental strength, versatility and leadership,” Bell said. “It is exciting to be a part of this project and promote this new stage that the company has initiated, in its way back to a growth path and consolidation as a leading multinational in the private gambling industry.
“I am truly honored for the trust placed in me and committed to the creation of value after this difficult period. The company has a management team and talent that will undoubtedly encourage its promising potential.”
Speaking about Bell’s departure from XLMedia, its CEO Stuart Simms said: “We are very grateful to Chris for his exceptional service to XLMedia. I would like to personally thank him for his practical support and wise counsel.
“Chris has been very supportive as we have sought to restructure to become more agile and align the business with new growth markets – an initiative we will complete during the first half of this year—as well as integrating three hugely successful U.S. acquisitions, which we believe will be pivotal to our long-term success.”
The appointment is subject to approval at a shareholders’ general meeting on February 7.
