New Chief Executive for William Hill
21st February, 2008
Ralph Topping, who has worked for William Hill since 1973, has been the company's operations director since April 2007.
It has been revealed today that he has been recently appointed as the firm's new chief executive. His concerns will now have to focus on the recent drop in the company's share price (down 22pence to 403pence) as well as the concerns over the possibility that the UK government might be having yet another look into the rules and regulations over the FOBT's (fixed odds betting terminals). The government's sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, said that they were "concerned about the long term impact of the growing popularity of FOBT's" and he has requested that the Gambling Commission give particular attention to the risks associated.
William Hill also have concerns about their online betting, as they are "more exposed to a consumer slowdown". Although this is the most profitable aspect of the firm a slowdown can result in their share price dropping further.
