London-listed gaming supplier Playtech has appointed Claire Milne as interim chairman effective 20 May.
Milne has served as a non-executive director on the board of Playtech since July 2016 and replaces outgoing chairman Alan Jackson, who previously announced his decision not to stand for re-election.
Milne will assume the interim chairman role at the conclusion of the company’s annual general meeting on 20 May at a reduced annual remuneration of £232,000, in line with the 20 per cent pay reduction for executive and non-executive directors, which came into effect on 1 April in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The interim appointment is also in response to the pandemic, which has impacted the company’s ability to appoint a permanent chairman.
The company said Monday that it has decided to delay the appointment of a permanent chairman because the pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions have reduced its ability to carry out an effective induction programme for an external appointee to get to know the business, and to meet regularly with the CEO, CFO, board members and senior management internationally.
The process to appoint a permanent chairman will conclude once the business and market environment normalise.
“The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic has led us to temporarily pause the final stages of our recruitment process,” said Milne. “I am very pleased to have been asked to act as interim chairman and will look to provide the necessary continuity ahead of the process concluding.
“On behalf of the board and the entire management team, I would also like to thank Alan for his service to Playtech, and for his enthusiasm and his dedication to the business as a non-executive director since our IPO in 2006 and, in particular, as our chairman for the last seven years.”
Shares in Playtech plc. (LSE:PTEC) were trading up 2.54 per cent on the news at 214.00 pence per share in London Monday morning.