Nick has over 40 years’ experience in the Gambling sector and worked in a number of senior positions for Coral, Bass, and the Rank Group before leading the MBO of the Amusements business (RAL) from Rank in 1996. RAL Limited became the leading operator in the AGC sector, with 129 venues, and in 2004, this was sold to Talarius plc with Nick becoming CEO.

Over the next two years, the business grew to over 200 venues together with an integrated and proprietary online business. This was sold to European Gaming Limited in January 2007.

In September 2007 he established Praesepe plc as an AIM listed company mandated to acquire going concern businesses in the European low stake high volume “gaming sector” and in five years grew the business from a cash shell to operating 180 gaming venues (including the UKs largest Bingo club) employing over 1800 people.

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In 2012 the Praesepe business was sold to the Gauselmann Group, a fundamental part of that deal being that Nick would continue to run the business in the UK for five years. Nick then spent time working for the group in an advisory role focusing on political and regulatory affairs.

Transactional experience:

Since 1996 Nick has been involved in or led corporate transactions led (buy and sell) with a value of c£500m.

Gaming Industry experience:

• Single site (pub) gaming machine supply.

• Seaside, holiday park and Theme Park amusements (FECs).

• Betting shops.

• Bingo Clubs.

• AGC arcades.

• On-line casinos (launched Cyberslotz one of the UKs first on-line casinos in 1999).

Corporate and organisational experience:

• Family owned businesses (SMEs)

• Large corporates (Rank and Bass)

• Private Equity backed MBOs together with second round funding and mezzanine funding

• AIM listed Plcs (Talarius and Praesepe)

Trade Organisation representation:

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• Past President of BACTA (British Amusement Trade body)

• Founding Chair of first UK On-line trade body IGGBA (now subsumed into the Betting and Gaming Council)

• Former Chairman of GBG (Gambling Business Group)

• Former Director of the BA (UK Bingo Association)

• Represented Gauselmann Group on the UK Betting and Gaming Council

• Member of the Excom of Euromat (Association of European land based Gambling Trade Associations)

Other relevant positions:

• Former Trustee of Gambleaware/GICT/RGT/Great Foundation

• Former advisor to the Board of GamCare

• Trustee of CHIPS (wheelchairs for disabled children) and personally responsible for raising over £1m for CHIPS

• Fellow IPD (Institute of Personnel and Development)

• Fellow IOD (Institute of Directors)

• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts