Playtech Appoints John Gleasure as Chairman Elect Ahead of May 2025 AGM
Playtech, a leading technology company in the gambling and financial trading industries, has announced the appointment of John Gleasure as its new Non-executive Director and Chairman Elect. The strategic move comes as the company prepares for a leadership transition set to be completed at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2025, when current Chairman Brian Mattingley will officially step down.
Leadership Transition to Drive B2B Focus
The appointment of Gleasure signals a pivotal moment for Playtech as it accelerates its evolution into a primarily B2B-focused enterprise. With an emphasis on delivering scalable technology and data-driven services to global operators, Playtech is poised to benefit from Gleasure’s seasoned leadership across the sports media, gaming, and technology sectors.
Who is John Gleasure?
Gleasure brings over three decades of experience in digital media and betting. He co-founded Perform Group, a key player in sports data and broadcasting, and has held senior roles at:
Sky Sports
Hutchison 3G
Sony Pictures
In addition, he currently sits on the boards of both the DAZN Group and The Sporting News, previously serving as Executive Chairman at the latter. His career has been marked by a deep involvement in rights management, content delivery, and technology innovation—areas that align with Playtech’s growth strategy.
Strategic Value for Playtech
Chairman Brian Mattingley praised the move, saying:
“John’s significant experience and knowledge will be a tremendous asset for Playtech as it continues its transformation into a predominantly pure-play B2B business.”
Gleasure also expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity:
“Playtech is a unique and highly innovative business, underpinned by technology and relationships with the world's leading gambling operators. I'm excited about the opportunities ahead.”
As part of his appointment, Gleasure will receive a base annual fee of £140,000 ($185,720). A revised compensation package is expected once he formally assumes the Chairmanship in May 2025.
Playtech’s Broader Expansion
The leadership update follows Playtech’s recent expansion of its poker network in France, marked by a February 2025 partnership with PMU. The collaboration brought PMU into the iPoker.EU network, offering access to Playtech’s advanced gamification tools and tournament content. This followed a similar deal with FDJ in 2023, reflecting Playtech’s growing influence in regulated European markets.