The Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries Group has expanded its management board with the appointment of Andreas Bierwirth as chief transformation officer.
Bierwirth becomes the third member of the company’s management board, serving alongside CEO Erwin van Lambaart and finance chief Martin Skopek, who have both had their contracts extended until 2027.
Previously a board member for Casinos Austria, Bierwirth founded Germanwings as the first German low-cost airline and was involved in the privatization of Austrian Airlines, including its integration into the Lufthansa Group.
He spent nine years on EasyJet’s board and also worked for ten years in the telecommunications sector, transforming the mobile operator T-Mobile into Magenta following the acquisition of UPC.
In his new role, Bierwirth will focus on the group’s digital development and group-wide process and project management, in addition to the international casino business (CAI).
“As a leading global lottery provider, the importance of digital development of our investments is of particular importance to us in order to ensure optimum performance for all our customers,” said Robert Chvatal, CEO of the Casinos Austria co-owner Allwyn.
“We are delighted to welcome Andreas Bierwirth on board. His impressive track record in complex corporate transformations and his in-depth commercial knowledge will be invaluable to Erwin and Martin as we work together to shape the future of the group. In addition, CEO Erwin van Lambaart can fully focus on regaining all licenses, which is of utmost importance to all of us.”
Recent initiatives for Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries include the opening of a new online live casino, and a successful reorganization of the group, which was necessitated by recent tax increases in Austria.
The group noted that major challenges lie ahead, particularly concerning issues related to the further digitalization of the business and the re-acquisition of its gaming licenses, which are due to be reissued next year.
“I am pleased that today, as members of the supervisory board, we were able to unanimously set the course for the future of the group,” said supervisory board chairman Wolfgang Hesoun. “With the extension of the existing management board contracts and the addition of Andreas Bierwirth to the management board, the group is now led by an outstanding trio that will be able to best shape the challenges of the future.”
Edith Hlawati, board member of Casinos Austria’s co-owner ÖBAG, added: “In difficult times, it was very important to us at ÖBAG to ensure stability and a clear commitment to Austria as a business location. We have already achieved this with the previous board members, and with the new board constellation, important steps can now be taken for the future of Casinos Austria AG.”