Allwyn has revealed its new leadership team in preparation for taking over the UK’s National Lottery licence from February 2024.

Starting on 1 October, the team features several notable additions, including Andria Vidler, who was confirmed as the permanent replacement for interim UK CEO Robert Chvátal in July.

Chvátal will return to focus full-time on his responsibilities as Group CEO of Allwyn.

Vidler boasts a wealth of experience, having previously served as the CEO of EMI in the UK and Ireland, as well as holding leadership roles at Centaur Media, Capital Radio, Bauer Media, and the BBC.

Additional recruits

In addition to Vidler, the leadership team welcomes other new recruits: Alan Artz, who joined Allwyn as CFO earlier this summer from William Hill; Chris Lyman, who will transition from his role as CEO of Lotto New Zealand to assume the role of COO at Allwyn in October; and Mark Smith, the current group CTO at ITV, who is set to join as CTO in November.

“This is a talented team with deep experience and a strong personal commitment to delivering the very best for communities across the UK through ever greater returns to Good Causes from The National Lottery,” Chvàtal said.

The Allwyn leadership team will also include the following members: Gaby Heppner-Logan as chief assurance and participant protection officer, Lucy Buckley as chief commercial officer, Martin Novak as interim chief data officer, Sam Sheriff as chief people officer, Alastair Ruxton as chief strategy and corporate affairs officer, Harry Willits as general counsel, Jenny Blogg as operations director, Eddie Bennett as operations transformation director, and Paul Lumb as technology transformation director.

Chvàtal expressed his gratitude to the Camelot leadership team “for their sterling work over many years supporting The National Lottery”. 

“The National Lottery makes a huge contribution to communities across the UK through the money it generates for Good Causes. They have a great deal to be proud of.  I wish them all the very best for the future,” he added.

Allwyn was awarded the fourth National Lottery licence in September 2022 and acquired incumbent operator Camelot in February 2023.

On completion of the deal, Camelot’s then CFO Clare Swindell and commercial director Neil Brocklehurst became co-chief execs and will lead Camelot until the end of January 2024.

Brocklehurst and Swindell will be actively facilitating the transition to Vidler before their eventual departure.

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