Former tobacco boss joins William Hill

London-based online and land-based gaming giant William Hill has announced that Gareth Davis, former boss of Imperial Tobacco Group, has been appointed as its new Chairman and will take up his new post from the beginning of next month.

Davis recently retired as Chief Executive Officer for Imperial Tobacco after 14 years in the role and is replacing Charles Scott at William Hill.

Chairman since 2004 and a director for eleven years, Scott announced in late-January that he would be stepping down once a suitable replacement had been found.

William Hill revealed that Davis joined Imperial Tobacco in 1972 as a management trainee before undertaking ‘various roles in the business’ including Managing Director Of International Operations from 1988. He led the successful demerger of Imperial Tobacco from international building materials firm Hanson including its subsequent listings on the London and New York Stock Exchanges and also played a key role in the development and execution of the company’s strategy and development into a leading multinational business. He has also served as a non-executive director for heating, plumbing and building products distributor Wolseley since 2003 in addition to acting as its Senior Independent Director.

“We are delighted that Gareth has agreed to join the board as Chairman for William Hill,” said Ralph Topping, Chief Executive Officer for William Hill.

“He has strong and relevant experience in terms of managing a complex and regulated business expanding from a robust UK base into international markets. We look forward to being able to draw on that experience as we take William Hill forward.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Charlie for his ten years with us and his Chairmanship since 2004. He made a very significant contribution during a period of rapid growth and change at William Hill and he leaves behind a company that is the market leader in the UK and well-positioned to grow internationally through the online business.”