Boylesports confirms Gray as new chief executive

Boylesports has appointed Conor Gray, the son-in-law of founder John Boyle, as its new chief executive.

Gray has been with the bookmaker since 2001, starting out as a trainee cashier at a betting shop in Ireland, before going on to hold various senior roles in the firm’s IT, trading and digital division.

In 2013, Gray moved to Asia to oversee relationship development work for the company, before returning to Ireland in 2014 to become chief operating officer.

Confirmation of Gray’s appointment comes after the Irish Sunday Independent newspaper last month revealed that Boyle was to step down as chief executive of the company that he founded in 1982.

Gray is married to Boyle’s daughter Kerry, whose two sisters hold senior executive roles at the bookmaker.

Boyle, who, according to RTE, will remain as executive chairman of the company, said: “After 35 years building BoyleSports from one shop into Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker, it would not be possible to step back if I were not confident that I was handing the reins to the right person.

“In Conor, I am confident I have a successor who can bring not only experience and expertise but also a passion for all things related to bookmaking in general and BoyleSports in particular.”

Related article: Boyle to step down as chief executive of Boylesports