Yolo Entertainment bolsters C-suite with three additions
Crypto-centric operator appoints Ashley Abela Hardy to chief product and technology officer, Shane Anderson to chief brand officer and Laura Nash to chief data officer in latest shake up
Yolo Entertainment has promoted a trio of senior staffers to the company’s C-suite, with a new chief product and technology officer, chief brand officer and chief data officer all confirmed.
Firstly, having joined as chief product officer last year, Ashley Abela Hardy has been named chief product and technology officer.
Abela Hardy arrived at Yolo Entertainment in June 2024 from Flutter International, where he spent two years as its head of product change and portfolio.
Prior to that, he spent four years with Gaming Innovation Group as head of product and then director of product and design.
On his promotion, he said: “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Yolo Entertainment, and my focus is simple: deliver the best betting and gaming product in the world.”
Shane Anderson, who joined the operator last April as director of partnerships, content and brand, has been appointed chief brand officer.
Anderson’s previous igaming experience came in July 2019 when he moved to Better Collective as senior director of group content and brand, before a promotion to senior director of broadcasting ensued in October 2020.
He also spent four-and-a-half years with Racing.com culminating in the role of editor-in-chief and general manager of content.
Anderson commented: “Our brands are already building serious momentum, and I’m looking forward to taking them to the next level.”
Stepping into the newly created chief data officer position is Laura Nash, who arrived in December 2024 as a corporate strategy analyst.
Nash had previously spent just over 11 years with The Stars Group, initially joining in September 2009, and held several roles including director of performance marketing.
“My focus is on using data to give players the very best gaming experiences available, so joining Yolo Entertainment was an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse,” Nash said.
Commenting on the trio of appointments, Yolo Entertainment CEO Matthew D’Emanuele added: “I’m thrilled to welcome Shane, Laura and Ashley to Yolo Entertainment’s C-level team.
“These leadership appointments are a key part of our ongoing transformation and commitment to delivering world-class casino and sports betting experiences.
“Their expertise will be instrumental in driving innovation and performance across the organisation.”
The operator said the promotions were part of its continued expansion strategy, which has seen several new hires over the past 12 months.
The moves follow the promotions of Sandra Vask from head of legal to COO last December and Piret Ploom from head of people and culture to director of people and workplace last October.
Alongside Vask and Ploom, three new directors in Anthony Cabrera, Amy Howard and Alexander McLoughlin were added to the firm at the end of 2024.
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.