Novibet makes senior management hires ahead of SPAC merger
In March, it was revealed that special purpose acquisition company Artemis had agreed a business combination with Novibet, in an arrangement that would allow the latter to list on the Nasdaq exchange.
The merger has already been approved by the boards of both businesses and its expected to complete during the second half of 2022, subject to approval by Artemis shareholders and other customary closing conditions.
In anticipation of the deal completing, Novibet has appointed Christoforos Bozatzidis to the newly created role of chief marketing officer for international markets. Bozatzidis join from Greek telco Wind Hellas and have oversight of Novibet’s global expansion into markets such as Europe, North America and Latin America.
In addition, Thomas Granite, who currently serves as chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary of Artemis, has been appointed as CFO and treasurer of Novibet, effective upon completion of the merger.
Granite will oversee all financial aspects of Novibet including internal and external financial reporting, internal audit, compliance and controls, investor relations, and treasury and capital markets functions, and also take a prominent role in strategic planning, business development, and mergers and acquisitions.
He will take on the role having previously served as CFO of Maverick Gaming and managing director for the Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging Investment Banking group at Jefferies Financial Group.
“We are at the beginning of a very exciting time for Novibet with the ongoing business momentum in markets where we currently operate soon to be complemented by our entry into additional regulated igaming and OSB markets in Europe, North America and Latin America,” Novibet chief executive George Athanasopoulos said.
“Continuing to enhance our senior management leadership and capabilities will prove vital to our ability to achieve consistent progress on our business expansion initiatives.”
Meanwhile, Novibet also announced the expected composition of its board of directors in advance of the merger.
Rodolfo Odoni, the owner of Komisium and beneficial owner of Novibet, will serve as the executive chairman of Novibet’s board, while Athanasopoulos will be a director.
Samy David, who has been a managing partner of Grifon Partners since 2013, will also serve as a director, as will Holly Gagnon, currently co-chief executive and chairperson of Artemis.
Philip Kaplan, the co-chief executive and president of Artemis, will take the final director role on the board.
“Our proposed board of directors will be world class as it will include senior executives who possess significant gaming and/or technology industry and capital markets experience that we believe will prove valuable in helping the company continue to execute at a high level and achieve consistent progress on its growth initiatives,” Odoni said.
“We’re looking forward to working collaboratively with George and the entire Novibet team as they embark on this exciting time in the company’s history and work to create value for all shareholders.”