Camelot CEO to retire as group restructured into two separate entities

UK National Lottery operator Camelot has announced that it will separate its operations into two clear functions in order to ensure the “best possible” platform for continued future growth in the UK and overseas, while also confirming that long-serving CEO Dianne Thompson will retire later this after 14 years in the role.

Camelot’s new “enhanced” structure, which will be run as two separate entities, will see current group chief financial officer and strategy director Nigel Railton become CEO of Camelot Global Services Limited, and Andy Duncan, managing director of the company’s UK business since 2011, appointed CEO of Camelot UK Lotteries Limited (CUKL).

Both Railton and Duncan will take up their new positions on October 31st and will report to Lee Sienna, chairman of the Camelot Group of Companies. Thompson, Railton and Duncan will work closely with Camelot employees across the group to finalise the structure.

“A vibrant and flourishing UK National Lottery will continue to remain at the very heart of Camelot’s operations, with the group also looking to add to its growing portfolio of interests outside of the UK,” said Sienna. “In appointing two CEOs with the calibre and experience of Nigel Railton and Andy Duncan, there will be a seamless transition to the next chapter of Camelot’s history.”

Thompson will retire as CEO on October 31st after 14 years in the role and 17 years with the company. She joined Camelot as commercial operations director in 1997, taking on the role of CEO in December 2000.

During her time as CEO, she has led the company to become one of the world’s most successful lottery operators, securing two UK National Lottery licence competitions and a four-year extension to the current UK licence to 2023. The company has also won a number of international contracts, working with the likes of the National Lottery in Ireland, the New York Lottery, and as part of a consortium in Pennsylvania.

“Dianne Thompson’s contribution to Camelot and the worldwide lottery sector has been immense,” said Sienna. “She leaves a lasting legacy, with the group in the best possible position to build on her achievements. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Dianne for her dedication, drive and unrivalled business acumen over the past 14 years.”

Thompson had initially planned to leave the company in 2012 but, at the request of Camelot’s owner, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, agreed to continue in her role in order to devise and implement the group’s international growth strategy, while further developing the UK strategy.

She has agreed to make herself available to Camelot in a consultative capacity, while pursuing her other business and charitable interests which includes managing her newly-acquired hotel in Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.

Dianne will continue in her roles as chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, president of the Market Research Society and non-executive chairman of RadioCentre, the industry body for commercial radio.

Thompson said: “I have always said that running Camelot has been my dream job, and I will look back over the last 14 years with great fondness and pride. Having successfully broken into the fiercely-competitive global lotteries market, the group is also on a great footing to fulfil its long-term international growth aspirations.

“In Nigel Railton and Andy Duncan, backed by the continued long-term support of Camelot’s owner, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, I leave the group in very talented, experienced and committed hands. Under their leadership, I know that the business – soon to be two businesses – will flourish.”

As CEO of CUKL, Duncan will be responsible for the expansion of the UK National Lottery’s digital services including the launch of a new mobile platform and engaging apps, a growing social media presence, and the creation of a bespoke ‘digital team’, which is working on the imminent launch of an entirely new online platform.

“Andy will continue to lead this ongoing programme of digital transformation to ensure that the UK National Lottery, as it has done since launch in 1994, continues to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape and in the face of ever-increasing competition – and continues to deliver for players, the Good Causes it supports and UK society as a whole for the next 20 years and beyond,” said Camelot.