Dominic Harrison, the chief executive of Gala Coral, parent company of Gala Bingo, has quit the company “to seek new career opportunities”.
He will leave his job on October 1 and will be replaced in the short term by the company's executive chairman, Neil Goulden, who was previously chief executive between 2004 and 2008. Harrison has been at Gala since 2004 and was made chief executive in October 2008.
Harrison said: “After six years with Gala Coral it is time to seek fresh challenges. I wish Neil and the rest of the team all the best as they take the company forward to the next phase in its development and ensure that it remains at the forefront of the sector.”
Goulden praised his successor, saying: “Dominic has played a big role in the development of the group over the last six years and we are grateful for his contribution. He leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future”.
Harrison's departure comes shortly after Gala Coral completed a major debt restructuring. As part of the new ownership structure, under the control of private equity owners Apollo, Cerberus and Goldman Sachs, the management team were in the process of renegotiating their contracts.
One person close to the company told Bingo News: “The debt restructuring has been incredibly draining and has gone on for many, many months. There was a natural break and given he is only in his mid 40s Dominic probably felt there were some other opportunities available to him. I don't think the new owners really understand the bingo business yet and they are definitely there as financial players rather than operators, so it makes sense for someone else to try and turn it round.”
Bingo News Recommends
Paddy Power Bingo is one of the best bingo sites out there, they have great bonuses like up to £30 free for depositing £5 and a totally free bingo room for new players!
