Ladbrokes’ current corporate development director, Alan Ross, who has been with the bookmaker since 1971, will retire on July 19, 2009, the company announced on Wednesday.
Ladbrokes said that Mr. Ross will not be standing for reelection to the company board at the annual general meeting, scheduled for May 15, 2009. Mr. Ross joined the board in 2006, after spending 35 years working up from shop duty to become the managing director of Ladbrokes Retail in 2000.
Earlier this month, Ladbrokes announced its chairman, Sir Ian Robinson, would be stepping down after the company’s annual general meeting.
Following his retirement Mr. Ross will continue to act as a consultant to Ladbrokes, the company said. Taking his place on the board will be Richard Ames, who is the managing director of United Kingdom and Ireland retail. Mr. Ames will officially be brought on at the first of the new year.
“Alan has made an enormous contribution to Ladbrokes and the betting and gaming industry,” said Christopher Bell, Ladbrokes’ chief executive, in a prepared statement. “He played a major role in developing the business from the introduction of live pictures into betting shops through SiS in 1986 to the introduction of FOBTs in 1998, and he played a significant part in our major acquisitions and disposals across the globe.”