Stella David Appointed as Permanent CEO of Entain
Entain, a global leader in sports betting and gaming entertainment, has officially appointed Stella David as its permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect. David, who had twice served as interim CEO, will now take on the role full-time, marking a significant leadership milestone for the company.
A Journey from Interim to Permanent Leadership
Stella David steps into her new role after previously serving two terms as interim CEO. She first assumed temporary leadership following Jette Nygaard-Andersen’s departure in late 2023 and again after Gavin Isaacs stepped down in February 2025.
David also held the position of Chairman of Entain from April 2024 until earlier this year, when she relinquished that role to focus on her interim CEO responsibilities. Her journey within Entain began in March 2021, when she was appointed as a Non-Executive Director.
Reflecting on her new appointment, David shared her excitement:
"Entain has a clear strategy and we are making great strides in strengthening our operational capabilities. Having taken the time to reflect, I am hugely excited to be leading the business going forward as Entain CEO as we accelerate our journey of improvement. Entain is a great business with significant potential. I am confident in its ability to deliver further success in the future."
Board Welcomes David’s Appointment
Pierre Bouchut, who had been serving as interim chairman after David transitioned to the interim CEO role, expressed strong support for the decision.
"The board is delighted to have appointed Stella as CEO. She is an accomplished and commercial business leader with a long track record of success across multiple industries. Stella has played a pivotal role in shaping, implementing, and executing the ongoing delivery of Entain’s strategy to drive value for our shareholders. She is highly regarded by our stakeholders. Her appointment provides consistency and stability as the business pursues its many growth opportunities."
Stella David: A Proven Track Record Across Industries
David’s impressive career spans leadership roles in several high-profile companies. Besides her tenure at Entain, she currently serves as Chair of Norwegian Cruise Lines, having been a Non-Executive Director since January 2025.
Her executive experience includes:
CEO of WM Grant & Sons
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and Regional President at Bacardi
Current Non-Executive Director at Bacardi
David has also held non-executive positions at leading organizations such as Nationwide Building Society, New Look Retail Group, HomeServe UK, Domino’s, and Vue International.
A New Chapter for Entain
David’s appointment comes at a crucial time as Entain released its Q1 2025 trading update, reporting a 9% increase in net gaming revenue. Strong performances across its online business and the BetMGM joint venture contributed significantly to this growth.
As Entain continues to strengthen its global position in online betting and gaming, David’s leadership promises to bring stability, renewed energy, and a sharper strategic focus to drive the company's next chapter of success.