The iGaming Leader

Leo Judkins - Coach for iGaming Leaders
The iGaming Leader

The iGaming Leader Podcast with Leo Judkins uncovers the human side of the iGaming industry's most successful leaders. Join us as we explore the untold stories, challenges, and triumphs of the executives shaping one of the world's most dynamic sectors. Each week, we dive deep into conversations with C-suite leaders, founders, and directors from global betting firms and innovative startups. Our guests share their authentic journey to the top, revealing pivotal career moments, leadership philosophies, and personal strategies for sustainable success in this high-pressure industry. More than just another business podcast, we focus on the crucial intersection of wellbeing and high performance. Discover how industry leaders maintain peak performance while managing stress, work-life integration, and team dynamics in an industry that never sleeps. Whether you're an aspiring leader, current executive, or passionate about the iGaming sector, each 30-minute episode delivers actionable insights to help you thrive in this fast-paced environment. Subscribe now to join a community of high-achieving iGaming professionals committed to making this industry not just successful, but sustainable for its leaders.

Episodes

  1. Leading Through Change: How to Transform Teams and Performance - Rob Duthie, Entain

    12 HR AGO

    Leading Through Change: How to Transform Teams and Performance - Rob Duthie, Entain

    "Instead of running away from challenges every day, I actually run towards them because within that challenge is actually very, very likely I'm going to find a lot of engagement and happiness and fulfillment." - Rob Duthie Episode SummaryIn this insightful episode, we sit down with Rob Duthie, a veteran of the iGaming industry with over 20 years of experience. Currently serving as Managing Director at Entain, Rob shares his journey from Victor Chandler (now BV Group) through various roles at Stan James (now Kindred) to his current position. He offers a unique perspective on leadership, discussing how Entain has navigated recent challenges and transformed its business performance. Rob provides valuable insights into managing teams during periods of significant change and the importance of authentic leadership. Guest BioRob Duthie is the Managing Director at Entain, one of the world's largest sports betting and gaming groups. With over two decades in the iGaming industry, Rob started his career at Victor Chandler in 2003, initially joining for a maternity cover role in payroll. His journey has taken him through various leadership positions at prominent companies including Stan James and William Hill, where he played key roles in implementing regulatory changes and driving business transformation. Rob is known for his thoughtful approach to leadership and his ability to navigate complex organisational changes while maintaining team engagement. Key Topics Discussed00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:30 - Rob's journey into iGaming and the industry's evolution00:06:34 - Embracing change and finding fulfillment in challenges00:12:40 - The balance between performance targets and team behavior00:24:20 - Deep thinking and leadership style00:26:40 - Managing work-life balance and morning routines00:30:40 - Leadership values and team management00:34:20 - Career progression and knowing when to move on Key Takeaways Authenticity in leadership is crucial - understand and embrace your leadership style while being transparent about how you operateThe importance of embracing change rather than resisting it, especially in the fast-paced iGaming industrySuccess comes from looking for challenges and finding fulfillment in overcoming them rather than avoiding difficult situationsClear morning routines and dedicated thinking time are essential for maintaining high performance in leadership rolesImportant Links: Connect with Rob Duthie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-duthie-8107969/Connect with Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

    39 min
  2. Breaking Barriers as a Female Leader in the iGaming Industry: Petra Zackrisson's Journey

    20 NOV

    Breaking Barriers as a Female Leader in the iGaming Industry: Petra Zackrisson's Journey

    Episode Summary In this episode, host Leo Judkins interviews Petra Zackrisson about her fascinating journey from management consulting to diplomat to iGaming executive. Petra shares her experiences as a female leader in a male-dominated industry and offers practical advice on driving diversity, building trust with teams, and balancing short-term goals with long-term vision. Guest Bio Petra Zackrisson is a passionate, driven leader with extensive experience in online gaming, international business development, and strategy. She started her career at McKinsey before becoming one of the youngest trade commissioners as a diplomat. In 2013, Petra transitioned into iGaming, working in executive roles at Betsson and Kaizen Gaming. She served as SVP of Growth at Better Collective and board member at Casumo. Petra is an advocate for diversity and incremental change towards building more diversified, healthy businesses. Key Topics 2:15 - Petra's unconventional career path from McKinsey to diplomat to iGaming7:30 - Challenges and learnings from working across different countries and cultures12:02 - Driving innovation by hiring outside talent and enabling "cross-pollination"16:11 - Practical steps leaders can take to improve gender diversity in their organizations24:18 - Navigating the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated industry30:02 - How to create a culture of trust, psychological safety and high performance36:10 - Balancing short-term goals and long-term vision in iGaming39:25 - Petra's mentors and the leadership traits she admires and mirrors42:37 - Advice for young professionals: Be kind to yourself and interview your future managerMemorable Quotes "I want to hang in there because I think it's very important for other young women to see that it's possible. It's possible to go all the way to the top and it's possible to do that with family and with children too." "Diversified teams are financially sound. If you are a consumer service company, it's important that your teams reflect your target audience. Today, most companies ignore 50% of the population because they are very male-oriented." "Trust is key. It's important to tell people what they are good at, what their strengths are. I'm asking my team for help and that showcases that they can actually tell me things and give me feedback." Important Links: Connect with Petra Zackrisson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-zackrisson-b75a892/Connect with Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://igamingleader.com/

    34 min
  3. Rob Fell on Authentic Leadership and Thriving in the iGaming Industry

    20 NOV

    Rob Fell on Authentic Leadership and Thriving in the iGaming Industry

    "We're all figuring out stuff as we go. There is no real jump between here and here. It's just that someone maybe got there a little bit before and thinks in a slightly different way." - Rob Fell Episode Summary In this candid conversation, Rob Fell, former COO of NetEnt and White Hat Gaming, shares his journey from British Army officer to iGaming executive. Drawing on his extensive experience across major operators like Paddy Power, GVC (now Entain), and NetEnt, Rob discusses the challenges of leadership, the importance of authenticity, and how to navigate difficult decisions. He offers valuable insights on building autonomous teams, dealing with imposter syndrome, and maintaining personal wellbeing while leading through challenging times.Guest Bio Rob Fell is a highly accomplished iGaming executive with extensive experience in C-Level, Director & VP roles across Product & Operations in FTSE 100, FTSE 250, and NASDAQ Stockholm listed companies. His career spans from British Army officer to leadership positions at major gaming companies including NetEnt, White Hat Gaming, GVC Group, and Paddy Power. Rob is known for his expertise in post-M&A operational transformation and building high-performing product teams. Key Topics Discussed 00:00:00 - Introduction and early career misconceptions00:01:34 - Dealing with imposter syndrome in leadership00:03:13 - Career progression and key attributes for success00:06:48 - Surprising leadership lessons and the importance of patience00:11:42 - Qualities valued in leadership and team development00:17:48 - Navigating difficult decisions and redundancies00:25:32 - Personal growth and maintaining work-life balance00:32:19 - Leadership philosophy and mission command approach00:40:01 - Advice to younger self: embracing the learning curveKey Takeaways Leadership success comes from continuous learning and authenticity rather than trying to be a "perfect" leaderBuilding autonomous teams requires trust and allowing people to make decisionsPersonal wellbeing and mental clarity are crucial for effective leadershipEarly and transparent communication is essential during challenging timesMission command principles can create more effective and autonomous teams Important Links: Connect with Rob Fell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robfell/Connect with Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://igamingleader.com/

    44 min

About

The iGaming Leader Podcast with Leo Judkins uncovers the human side of the iGaming industry's most successful leaders. Join us as we explore the untold stories, challenges, and triumphs of the executives shaping one of the world's most dynamic sectors. Each week, we dive deep into conversations with C-suite leaders, founders, and directors from global betting firms and innovative startups. Our guests share their authentic journey to the top, revealing pivotal career moments, leadership philosophies, and personal strategies for sustainable success in this high-pressure industry. More than just another business podcast, we focus on the crucial intersection of wellbeing and high performance. Discover how industry leaders maintain peak performance while managing stress, work-life integration, and team dynamics in an industry that never sleeps. Whether you're an aspiring leader, current executive, or passionate about the iGaming sector, each 30-minute episode delivers actionable insights to help you thrive in this fast-paced environment. Subscribe now to join a community of high-achieving iGaming professionals committed to making this industry not just successful, but sustainable for its leaders.

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