Hector Fernandez, who formerly led Aristocrat Gaming, is set to take the helm of the merged ITG and Everi entity as CEO upon the completion of the transaction slated for late next year.
With his leadership commencing in the fourth quarter of 2025, Fernandez concludes his six-year tenure at Aristocrat, where he spent the last two years as CEO of its gaming division following his 2022 appointment.
Apollo Global Management will oversee the operations of the merged IGT and Everi businesses, following an all-cash transaction valued at a total of $6.3 billion secured this summer. The merger, expected to be finalized in the third quarter of 2025, will bring IGT’s gaming and digital operations and Everi under a single holding company.
During the interim period before Fernandez begins, Nick Khin will act as interim CEO, transitioning to CEO of gaming once Fernandez joins the unified business. Khin currently serves as the global gaming president at IGT.
Gil Rotem, presently IGT PlayDigital’s president, will lead the digital segment as CEO, while Darren Simmons, Everi’s executive vice-president, will assume the role of CEO of fintech in the integrated company.
Fernandez expressed his excitement about his new role, stating, “I eagerly anticipate joining IGT Gaming and Everi on this journey and collaborating with the talented teams at both companies, alongside Apollo management leading the transaction.”
Apollo partner Daniel Cohen remarked, “We are excited to announce Hector Fernandez as the incoming CEO of the integrated company. As we aim to establish IGT Gaming and Everi as leading innovative and customer-focused entities in the gaming and fintech sectors, Hector’s proven success in scaling operations and enhancing customer relationships aligns with our ambitions. Hector shares our vision for leading a talented global workforce and will nurture a culture that prioritizes people.”
Before his role at Aristocrat, Fernandez held the position of senior director, overseeing strategy, pricing, and planning at Western Digital. His departure from Aristocrat was made public shortly before his announcement as the future CEO of IGT/Everi, with Craig Toner named his immediate successor. Toner, previously Aristocrat’s CFO and EVP of operations, will fill the role in Fernandez’s absence.
Toner, having been with Aristocrat for seven years, relocated from Australia to the Las Vegas offices in 2021 upon becoming CFO. Aristocrat CEO and managing director Trevor Croker commented, “Craig has been instrumental in the global Aristocrat Gaming leadership team, driving growth and transformative change in recent years. His collaboration with our board and executive steering committee on strategic priorities has been invaluable. We are thrilled to recognize Craig’s leadership caliber in this new role, reflecting the depth of talent at Aristocrat.”
*Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner, providing support to ambitious organizations in identifying and recruiting top executive talent. [Learn more here.](https://www.arnoldash.com/)*
Find the original article titled [Aristocrat Gaming head to become IGT/Everi CEO once deal completes](https://www.egr.global/intel/news/aristocrat-gaming-head-to-become-igt-everi-ceo-once-deal-completes) on [EGR Intel](https://www.egr.global/intel).