Gala Leisure welcomes Kelly back to the board

Gala Leisure Ltd has announced the appointment of founder and former chief executive of the Gala Coral Group, John Kelly OBE as non-executive Chairman.

The appointment follows a strategic review by owner Caledonia Investment and supports the implementation of a new growth strategy that will see Gala Leisure’s 124 clubs rebranded to ‘Buzz Bingo’ and the introduction of a new omni-channel offer.

“[John Kelly’s] extensive experience and success in the gaming and betting industry over the past 30 years will be invaluable as Buzz Bingo launches and grows,” a press statement reads.

As the original founder and Chief Executive of the Gala Coral Group, having led the management buy in from Bass Plc in 1997, Kelly was, until April this year, Chairman of Ladbrokes Coral PLC, and led the Board during its merger with the Gala Coral business, and its subsequent agreed takeover by GVC.

Chris Matthews CEO of Gala Leisure said: “As we begin our new strategy and look towards online in the future, we are delighted to bring John back to where he started having founded Gala operations.

“He has all the qualities we were looking for as we move forward -a deep understanding of gaming and bingo and a real passion for our business and its people.”

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