William Hill to Merge its UK Retail and Online Businesses

British bookmaker William Hill has announced that they are going to merge their UK retail and online businesses.

The UK online managing director Phil Walker announced that he will take over responsibility for the UK Single Market division while Nicola Frampton, head of the retail division, will step down. During the six-month transition period, both Frampton and Walker are expected to work alongside each other.

“It has been an absolute privilege to lead the retail team at William Hill. Our shops play a vital role in our success and I look forward to working with Phil on a handover plan in the coming months,” Frampton said.

“We will be immensely sad to say goodbye to Nicola Frampton when the time comes. Nicola has been with William Hill for ten years and has been a driving force on the executive team as well as being instrumental in reshaping and transforming our retail business,” Ulrik Bengtsson, CEO of William Hill, said.

The deal is the bookmaker’s new plan to overcome regulatory and economic obstacles, with the FOBT decision last year leading to the closure of 713 betting shops.

William Hill also announced that the gradual closing of its Gametek office in Sweden had already started to simplify its operating structures.