Entain names Stella David as permanent CEO

Entain has appointed Stella David as its permanent chief executive officer, the British sports betting and gaming group said, ending her second spell as interim chief.

David, who had been serving as interim CEO since February following the departure of Gavin Isaacs, takes over the role with immediate effect. She had also briefly led the company in late 2023 after the exit of Jette Nygaard-Andersen, and previously served as Entain’s chair in April 2024 before stepping into the interim CEO position.

“The board is delighted to have appointed Stella as CEO,” said interim chair Pierre Bouchut. “She is an accomplished and commercial business leader with a long track record of success across multiple industries.”

David joined Entain as a non-executive director in March 2021 and brings decades of leadership experience. Her past roles include CEO of WM Grant & Sons, chair of Norwegian Cruise Lines, and senior executive positions at Bacardi, where she served as senior vice president, chief marketing officer, and regional president. She also held non-executive director positions at firms including Nationwide Building Society, HomeServe UK, and Domino’s.

“Entain has a clear strategy and we are making great strides in strengthening our operational capabilities,” David said in a statement. “I am hugely excited to be leading the business going forward as Entain CEO as we accelerate our journey of improvement.”

The announcement comes as Entain reported a 9% rise in net gaming revenue for the first quarter, driven by strong online performance and growth in its BetMGM joint venture in the United States.

David’s appointment is expected to bring continuity and stability as the company executes on its strategic growth plans.

“She is highly regarded by our stakeholders,” Bouchut added. "Stella has played a pivotal role in shaping, implementing and executing the ongoing delivery of Entain’s strategy to drive value for our shareholders."