Scientific Games announces new SG Digital leadership

Tuesday 6th of March 2018

Scientific Games newly created SG Digital has announced leadership appointments to accelerate its customer-driven, product-led strategy across digital gaming, sports and iLottery.

Ashley Sandyford-Sykes will serve as senior vice president (SVP) of SG Digital's world-class content team.

Sandyford-Sykes previously held a number of executive roles in the industry and has lectured on slot product development and content strategy. He will have full responsibility for SG Digital's nine game studios behind hit titles such as Rainbow Riches, Foxin' Wins and Wild Play Superbet.

He is set to join SG Digital on May 1 and will be based at the Chiswick office in London.

The newly created SG Digital division of Scientific Games includes OpenBet, the world's leading B2B Sportsbook platform; the player account platform Open Platform System (OPS); the industry's most powerful content aggregation networks via its Open Gaming System (OGS) and former SG Interactive's Game Server; nine independent game studios; and the award-winning SG Universe Platform.

"We've formed an extremely powerful team of technology and product leaders who are moving quickly with a dual focus. Firstly, maturing our EU-centric development and product capabilities to better support our larger UK and EU customer base, and secondly, establishing new capabilities in North America to meet the growing demand for our gaming products and be prepared for sportsbook expansion, should the U.S. become a newly regulated market," commented Davey.

Sandyford-Sykes' arrival completes the full set of previously announced product and technology appointments including former Ladbrokes chief product officer and sportsbook director Keith O'Loughlin who joined as SVP sportsbook and platforms; Dylan Slaney, previously a global innovation director at Dunn Humby, who will serve as SVP gaming; and ex-Oracle VP Chris Armes as the division's chief technology officer.

Sandyford-Sykes, O'Loughlin, Slaney and Armes will report to SG Digital's chief operating officer, Jason Walbridge.

Matt Davey, group chief executive, SG Digital, said, "We are excited by the reception SG Digital received at ICE Totally Gaming and the opening of our new Krakow development center, designed to meet the increased demands of our expanding product portfolio. As an executive team, we are filled with a powerful sense of what we need to do to stand up and seize the opportunity in front of us. The changes announced today are aligned with that ambition, and I look forward to leading a division of outstanding product and technology talent."

In addition to the product and technology appointments, current Scientific Games' legal director for the UK, Sue Dawson will take on the additional role of deputy general counsel SG Digital. Her previous professional experience includes assistant general counsel for Gala Coral Group and head of UK Legal for Inspired Group.

Ryan Ripley will take on the role of interim chief financial officer for SG Digital.

"As SG Digital, as an executive team, as individuals, our goal is to deliver on our customer-driven, product-led strategy with clear focus at speed," commented Davey. "As SG Digital and across the entire Scientific Games Corporation, we are on our way."

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