UK Tote Group Appoints New COO and B2B CCO to Drive Expansion

The British pool betting operator, UK Tote Group, has announced two significant additions to its executive team, promoting Paddy Desmond to Group Chief Operating Officer and appointing Eugene Delaney as B2B Chief Commercial Officer. These strategic leadership changes are intended to bolster the company's operational capabilities and broaden its market presence.

Paddy Desmond steps into the Group Chief Operating Officer role, succeeding Dave Hammond, who departed in April. Desmond brings a wealth of experience, including nearly two decades spent within various Flutter Entertainment brands. Before his tenure at UK Tote Group, he also served as a Strategy Consultant for the British Horseracing Authority in 2022.

Desmond initially joined UK Tote Group as a Strategy Consultant in 2024, subsequently serving as Chief Revenue Officer for the past six months. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for key areas such as product development, customer experience, marketing initiatives, and overall revenue generation. Desmond commented on his new leadership position, stating, "This is an exciting time to be leading the Tote’s consumer business… My focus will be on continuing to improve the experience we offer customers while growing the business responsibly and sustainably."

Joining the Tote's executive ranks is Eugene Delaney, taking on the position of B2B Chief Commercial Officer. Delaney comes to the Tote from Make Agency, where he spent nine years as a Non-Executive Director and held the role of Chief Operating Officer. His career encompasses diverse sectors including sport, media, horse racing, and B2B betting and data, with previous notable roles at Paddy Power and Spotlight Sports Group, owner of Racing Post.

Delaney's focus will be on leveraging the Tote's substantial B2B potential across both international pooling and the UK market, building on achievements from the last eight years. He shared his perspective, saying, "The Tote’s B2B potential… is significant and there is a clear opportunity to build on what has already been achieved… I’m looking forward to working… to deepen our partnerships, sharpen how we operate and continue building long-term value."

These recent executive appointments follow the UK Tote Group's announcement in April that John O’Reilly, former CEO of Rank Group, had joined as a non-executive director. The horseracing industry, and by extension the Tote, is also preparing for the upcoming implementation of the Gambling Commission’s Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), a measure that some anticipate could notably impact the sector.