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Evoke Chairman Lord Mendelsohn Steps Down After Period of Restructuring
Mendelsohn’s departure closes a turbulent period for Evoke, which has undergone successive leadership changes and regulatory challenges while attempting to integrate its expanded portfolio.
Mark Summerfield, currently chair of the audit and risk committee, has been appointed non-executive chair. His elevation is intended to provide continuity as the gambling group consolidates its transformation and seeks greater operational stability.
Mendelsohn joined the Evoke board in 2020 and became chair the following year. His time in the role spanned one of the most consequential phases in the company’s history, marked by the £2.2bn acquisition of William Hill’s non-US assets from Caesars Entertainment in 2022. The deal significantly expanded Evoke’s reach across regulated markets and repositioned it among the leading global operators.
He also oversaw the company’s May 2024 rebrand, which unified 888 and William Hill under a single corporate identity. The move was designed to simplify Evoke’s structure and sharpen its strategic focus in a sector where brand clarity and compliance are increasingly critical.
Mendelsohn temporarily assumed executive duties between January and October 2023 following the abrupt departure of chief executive Itai Pazner, who exited amid anti-money-laundering and customer verification failings. He guided the group through that transition until the appointment of Per Widerström later that year.
Analysis
Evoke enters a more settled phase but faces a demanding landscape. The rebrand offers coherence, yet growth will depend on disciplined execution and sustained regulatory compliance. Investors will watch for signs that Summerfield can translate stability into momentum. After years of restructuring, Evoke’s next test is less about reinvention – and more about delivery.
Evoke’s leadership shift
A Labour peer since 2013 and former shadow minister for business and international trade, Mendelsohn’s experience in politics and regulation informed the group’s engagement with policymakers during a period of heightened scrutiny for the gambling industry. “Having overseen the transformation of the business into one of the world’s leading betting and gaming companies, now is the right time to hand over to Mark to steward Evoke through its next phase of growth and stability,” he said.
Summerfield, a board member since 2019, has played a central role in strengthening Evoke’s governance and compliance structures. In addition to chairing the audit and risk and gaming compliance committees, he has sat on the ESG committee. He will step down from his audit committee role as he assumes the chairmanship.
The company also confirmed Anne de Kerckhove as permanent deputy chair. A long-serving director, she continues as senior independent director and chair of both the nominations and ESG committees.
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