Former Entain exec Colin Cole-Johnson hired by Gauselmann's Bede Gaming as new CEO

UK-based supplier of online gaming software Bede Gaming announced on Thursday the appointment of Colin Cole-Johnson as CEO, a move set to bring “the next phase of growth for the industry-leading platform,” according to a press statement. Cole-Johnson's new role takes effect from April 4, 2022, while Bede's current Managing Director, Alex Butcher, will become a non-executive director.

Cole-Johnson joins the Gauselmann Group subsidiary from Entain, where he was Gaming Product Director. The executive has over 20 years of experience and has been a major figure in online gaming, explains Bede, with director-level roles at leading operators including Ladbrokes, William Hill and The Rank Group.

The appointment of Cole-Johnson to the leadership role at Bede is the latest “in a series of notable announcements” from the software supplier since becoming part of the Gauselmann Group, in March 2020. The company was first launched in 2011, with the aim of providing latest and proven digital technology for the online gaming industry.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Colin Cole-Johnson as CEO of Bede Gaming. The next phase of growth for us 🙌 Welcome to Bede, Colin! https://t.co/gfsghwzTH9 #NewAppointments #NextPhase #Growth #iGaming #BedeGaming pic.twitter.com/btL9c99x7m

— Bede Gaming (@bedegaming) March 10, 2022

In addition to becoming part of the German gaming conglomerate, in the past five years Bede also grew to over 250 staff, established offices in multiple locations and expanded its customer base across three continents, the company says.

“As well as counting one of the world's largest lottery and gaming organizations amongst its customers, Bede now boasts the handling of over £50 billion ($65.9 billion) in annual stakes through its platform, highlighting the company's impressive growth in recent years,” according to a release.

By leveraging Cole-Johnson’s commercial and customer expertise, in addition to its solid technical foundation, Bede expects the appointment to build upon its recent global expansion and enable the software supplier to evolve its premium platform offering “into the ultimate operator-focused product.”

"It's a proud moment for me,” commented Cole-Johnson. “Bede is a company that I've gotten to know well and admire over a significant period, so this is a brilliant opportunity to join and lead a strong team with a proven track record. Their achievements over recent years speak for themselves and the potential for the future is really exciting."

The appointment of Cole-Johnson “further cements Bede’s position among the industry’s technology elite,” the company says, and reinforces “the stature of the business’ digital offering.” Bringing in a CEO with significant operator experience such as Cole Johnson “indicates Bede’s ambitions to build the best possible product” for its customers.

"We are delighted that Colin has agreed to become CEO of Bede,” stated Joe Saumarez Smith, Chairman at Bede Gaming. “He is an industry-leading executive with a proven track record at some of the biggest gaming companies in the world. He already knows Bede's industry-leading platform from his days as a client and we have no doubt that he will help the company further grow its position as the first choice gaming platform in regulated markets.”

The Bede platform processes billions of transactions a year, Gauselmann Group explains. It defines it as “scalable, modular and adaptable,” permitting “a genuine omni-channel convergence solution” to operators. Its clients include gambling companies and lotteries across North America, Europe and Africa.

Headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the North East of England, UK, Bede is certified to ISO 27001. It is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and is an approved supplier of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.