Flutter Announces UK and Ireland Division Redundancies
Flutter Entertainment have announced they will be making redundancies in its UK and Ireland division. The operator blames a “challenging external environment” for the need for an internal restructure.
Flutter Makes UK & Ireland redundancies © Pixabay.
FTSE-listed operator Flutter Entertainment will be making redundancies within its UK and Ireland division as part of a restructuring at the company due to a “more challenging external environment”.
Along with the lay-offs, the online giant will change its management structure with UK&I brand CEOs taking chief commercial officer roles with full ownership of the individual brands.
The new chief commercial officers have been assessing the structures in place and evaluating operations in the individual brands. It is these reviews that have led to the offering of redundancy packages for staff.
The affected departments are believed to be contact centres with the laying off of team managers. Also involved in the restricting plans are trading and marketing staff.
According to an internal email seen by trade publication EGR, outgoing Flutter UK and Ireland CEO Conor Grant, the redundancies are part of a “long-term plan” to “power our brands and set up the UK&I for future growth”. However, he acknowledged that external macro conditions contributed to the company’s decision.
In the email, Grant said: “We have designed a simpler, flatter organisation, which will enable faster decision-making through clearer accountabilities. We want to drive efficiency and effectiveness and part of this will mean an increased focus on cost. Doing this will allow us to continue investing at the levels needed to deliver our strategy and maintain our market position.
“The proposals do mean that there are some people whose roles are directly impacted. It doesn’t mean that they will automatically be leaving the business. We expect that many will either be offered, or be successful in securing, other roles in the proposed structures.
“However, should our proposals be accepted, some people will unfortunately leave the business. This does not diminish the contribution that they have made in their time with us, or our appreciation for all their hard work,” he added.
The staff affected have been informed of the decision and offered the assistance of Flutter’s in-house Employee Assistance Programme.
Last month Grant announced his resignation from the company where he had spent 17 years to spend more time with his family. Grant said he had been “immensely proud” to oversee the UK & Ireland business during his time at the company. “Flutter’s market leading brands, talented team and approach to safer gambling are what sets the business apart. I have no doubt that the business is in good hands, and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow sustainably and responsibly into the future.” Grant said.
In September, Ian Brown will take on Grant’s duties for the Paddy Power, SBG, Betfair and Tombola brands.
A Flutter spokesperson said: “These proposed changes reflect the next phase of our integration, as we look to consolidate parallel operating models and position the business to continue growing against a more challenging operating environment.
“While we have sought to minimise the impact this will have on our colleagues, with most employees affected being redeployed into alternative or newly created roles, the proposals may lead to a small number of job losses. We are communicating with those affected as part of a consultation process and will be providing them with the support they need throughout.”
