Sir Philip Davies, previously a Conservative MP and a proponent of the horseracing sector, has taken on the role of chair for the Star Sports Group of Companies. He succeeds Russ Wiseman, who has chosen to step down for personal reasons. Wiseman, who previously led Sportingbet and Betdaq, had held the chairman position since January 2023.
Sir Philip represented Shipley as an MP from 2005 until July’s general election, where he lost his seat to Labour’s Anna Dixon, with his voter support reducing by 23%. Throughout his parliamentary tenure, he was involved with the All-Party Parliamentary Group focused on betting and gambling, which disbanded after the release of the Gambling Act 2005 review white paper in April 2023.
A staunch advocate of the betting and horseracing sectors, Sir Philip criticized the Gambling Commission as “the most out-of-touch regulator” in August 2023. He also opposed financial risk assessments during his Commons service. The ex-Tory MP received various industry gifts, such as a £1,000 ticket from Star Sports to attend Royal Ascot in 2022.
Founded by Ben Keith, Star Sports is eyeing the acquisition of Sporting Index from Spreadex, following the Competition and Markets Authority’s monopoly concerns. Upon his appointment, Sir Philip expressed his excitement about joining Star Sports during a pivotal moment in the company’s development. He praised Ben Keith and expressed eagerness in advancing the company’s growth and responsible operation.
Keith expressed gratitude to Wiseman for his contributions and hoped for his speedy recovery. He anticipates continuing a productive partnership with him in 2025. Welcoming the new chairman, Keith highlighted Sir Philip’s vast experience as a valuable addition to the management team.
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The announcement about Sir Philip’s appointment first appeared on EGR Intel.