Anurag Dikshit and Vikrant Bhargava, two of PartyGaming\’s founders, will step down from the board to focus on other projects.
Dikshit, who holds a 31% stake and is currently Group Operations Director, will step down from the board in order to focus on the development of new products and platforms with the objective of further enhancing PartyGaming’s leading position in online gaming as Head of Research and Special Projects.
Dikshit\’s existing responsibilities will be allocated between Bhagwan Dass Goel, Group Technology Director, and Joel Leonoff, who will be appointed to the revised role of Group Operations Director.
Bhargava, who has an 8.6% shareholding and is currently Group Marketing Director, has indicated that he wants to step down from the board and leave PartyGaming at the end of the year.
Commenting on the changes, Michael Jackson, Chairman of PartyGaming, said: “Today’s announcement reflects the continuing transformation of PartyGaming from a small entrepreneurial business into one of the world’s leading internet businesses. We are delighted that in his new role, Anurag will now be free to help develop the next generation of products and platforms. We are also pleased that Vikrant, with his considerable knowledge and experience, will continue to retain his close association with PartyGaming.”
In a joint statement, Dikshit and Bhargava said: “Deciding when to reduce the level of executive responsibility is one of the most difficult decisions that entrepreneurs have to make. The technology, operations and marketing teams at PartyGaming have both strength and depth and we are confident that they will continue to flourish. Accordingly, both we and the Board now feel that the management infrastructure is in place to allow us to step down from our current roles. We are delighted with the recent appointment of Mitch Garber as Chief Executive Officer. His knowledge of our business and the online gaming sector, coupled with the strength of the supporting management team, means that the Group is in good hands.”