888 promotes Naama Kushnir to COO role

888 Holdings has promoted senior vice president and head of human resources Naama Kushnir to the role of chief operating officer.

Kushnir takes on the role to replace Itai Pazner, who was named chief executive of the operator in January 2019.

As COO, she will be tasked with developing and implementing internal processes to improve 888’s business functions, reporting directly to Pazner. Kushnir will also lead the post merger integration strategies following the acquisitions of JPJ Group’s Mandalay bingo assets and sportsbook operator BetBright, in February and March respectively.

She has worked for 888 for more than 11 years, serving as senior vice president for human resources since September 2016. She previously worked in human resources at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.

“We are delighted to announce Naama’s promotion which reflects the outstanding strength of the team we have in our business,” Pazner said of the appointment. “Naama is a highly skilled, respected and experienced operator and I have every confidence that – alongside the rest of the operational management team – she will continue to drive 888’s growth and promote our company culture, vision and values in her new role.

“On behalf of everyone at 888, I would like to wish Naama continued success in her new role.”

Kushnir said she was “hugely excited” to taken on her new role.

“The group has made some hugely exciting recent acquisitions, including adding a sportsbook to its proprietary technology stack for the first time,” she said. “I am looking forward to working across various functions in the group to support 888’s continued growth and strategic progress.”