EDUCATION ACT Appoints Heike Mayer as New Chairperson
ESSA Announces Board Expansion and New Leadership
The European Sports Security Association (ESSA) has announced significant changes to its board of directors and leadership, effective from June 2024.
Mike O'Kane, who has served as ESSA's chairperson for the past five years, is stepping down following his retirement from Ladbrokes. His departure marks the end of a successful tenure during which he played a pivotal role in repositioning the association. Heike Mayer, currently associated with GVC Holdings, has been appointed as the new chairperson.
Heike Mayer is known as a key figure in ESSA, having served in senior roles such as Executive Director. She is expected to take over the leadership role at ESSA following Mike O'Kane's departure. Mayer expressed her gratitude towards O'Kane for his work at ESSA, acknowledging him as an influential and vocal advocate for ESSA members and the sector.
The expansion of ESSA's board of directors is a proactive measure to address the challenges in the sports betting sector and to meet the ongoing demands of the growing membership. Two prominent figures from the online betting industry, Jon Russell from Betway and David Foster from Paddy Power Betfair (Flutter Entertainment), have been added to the board.
The addition of Russell and Foster is significant because both represent major operators in the online betting industry. Their inclusion helps reinforce ESSA's collaboration with leading betting companies, strengthening the organization's oversight capabilities and industry influence to fight betting-related corruption more effectively. This expanded board membership brings industry expertise and credibility, fostering greater shared responsibility and coordination among operators and regulators.
Khalid Ali, ESSA's secretary general, stated that the board expansion is to ensure the best representation for the association. He emphasized that the expansion is a response to the growing membership of ESSA and is intended to represent the association's expanding reach.
With the new leadership and expanded board, ESSA is poised to continue its mission to combat match-fixing and corruption in sports betting, reinforcing its position as a vital player in the fight against illegal betting activities in Europe.
Heike Mayer, the new ESSA chairperson, will bring her extensive experience from the online betting industry to bolster the organization's efforts in combating match-fixing and corruption, as she transitions from her role at GVC Holdings. The expanded board of ESSA, which now includes Jon Russell from Betway and David Foster from Paddy Power Betfair (Flutter Entertainment), will help the association to strengthen its oversight capabilities and industry influence in the casino-and-gambling sector, as well as in the broader business and finance landscape.
