UK Tote Group appoints Dave Hammond in strengthened leadership team

Wednesday 26th April 2023

Today, the UK Tote Group announces changes to its leadership team as the UK and Irish pool operator expands its international and domestic network. The changes are designed to support the execution of the UK Tote’s growth strategy, both from the International business (B2B) and UK businesses (B2C, B2B2C).

Jon Knapman becomes Chief Commercial Officer (International), responsible for driving the commercial performance of the International B2B business, which has seen significant growth over the last three years with expansion into South Africa, Hong Kong and US markets.

To lead the domestic operation, Dave Hammond joins the business as Chief Commercial Officer (UK). Dave is an experienced industry leader having worked in a variety of senior operational roles at Inspired Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair, COO at SBTech and most recently as SVP at DraftKings. He brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked across the gaming sector for over 25 years. Dave is involved in multiple racing syndicates, owning five national hunt horses in Ireland.

Alex Frost, Chief Executive of UK Tote Group commented: “I am delighted to welcome Dave to the Tote. As we continue to execute our growth strategy for the business and following three years of significant expansion within international markets with many more opportunities on the horizon, we now have two extremely strong leaders focussed on driving the commercial performance of our International and UK businesses."

On his new appointment, Dave Hammond said: “I am excited to be joining the Tote and working alongside Alex, Jon and the wider team as we continue to grow the Tote within the UK market. I have watched with interest as the team has revitalised the Tote over the last few years and hope my experience from a number of different roles across the industry will positively support the next phase of the Tote’s growth cycle.”

ENDS.

For further information, please contact:

Susannah Gill
Communications and Corporate Affairs Director
UK Tote Group
susannah.gill@uktotegroup.com
+44 (0)7751 870 929

Notes to editors

About UK TOTE GROUP

The UK Tote Group is the proud owner and steward of the Tote, the UK’s leading pool betting operator. The Tote has been a core part of British horseracing since 1928 when it was established by Parliament under Winston Churchill as Chancellor of the Exchequer, to provide the public with a safe way to bet and vital funding for the sport.

The UK Tote Group is committed to fulfilling the Tote’s founding mission through revitalising the 95-year old British company to ensure it provides better value and an improved experience to customers, as well as increased funding for British horseracing. The UK Tote Group is backed by racehorse owners and breeders from around the world who believe a stronger UK and Irish host pool is an essential component in the successful future of the sport, as is the case in other successful racing jurisdictions.

The Tote is the pool partner to all 85 British and Irish racecourses, and the UK Tote Group is proud to be able to work with them and all of its media rights and bookmaker partners to bring innovations and improvements to all of its customer channels, including those within its digital business, through the Tote website (tote.co.uk/tote.ie) and the Tote App.

The UK Tote Group is a founding member of the World Tote Association and will co-chair the organisation between 2022-24. The UK Tote Group is committed to working with international partners to grow pool betting in a sustainable manner, while showcasing the benefits of the sector to stakeholders, including customers, regulators, national governments, the racing industry and society as a whole.

The Tote employs 200 people who are based in the Tote’s main office in Wigan and its satellite office in London.

For more information please visit www.uktotegroup.com and www.tote.co.uk and follow us @UKToteGroup and @ToteRacing.