Kaizen names William Hill’s Hernando as new CCO

Hernando will join Greece-based Kaizen from William Hill, where he had most recently been serving as chief marketing officer and managing director of the operator’s international business.

In the role, which also covered the Mr Green segment, Hernando was responsible for the 12 markets outside the US and the UK where William Hill operates.

Kaizen said the appointment forms part of its strategic plan to add international experience to its management, to support expansion plans for its Betano brand.

Betano operates in Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Romania, Greece and Cyprus.

“I’m looking forward to contributing to our ongoing success in positioning Kaizen as a leading player in our operating markets, and in leveraging the international opportunities and challenges that will no doubt arise, in our pursuit to continue growing aggressively our foothold in the international GameTech arena,” Hernando said.

Kaizen chief executive George Daskalakis added: “I am confident Julio’s experience, talent and drive along with his positive character and team spirit will contribute to our ongoing effort to establish ourselves as one of the leading companies in the industry on an international level.”

The appointment comes after Kaizen last month also named Claus Jansson as its new head of affiliate marketing and media buying.

Sazka-owned OPAP has a 36.75% stake in Kaizen’s business, and in November acquired a further 15.48% stake in Stoiximan Group’s Greek and Cypriot operations from Kaizen, bringing its stake in this part of the business to 84.48%.