One of the UK’s biggest bookmakers, William Hill, has promoted Michael Leadbeater to group director of legal services, replacing general counsel (GC) and head of business systems Thomas Murphy, who has left for Travelport.
Murphy, who has worked at the gambling company for more than seven years, joined as GC and company secretary in 2007, before taking on additional responsibility for business systems in 2012. His tenure saw him handle the Gambling Act 2005 coming into force as well as the effects of the rise of internet gambling.
Previously GC at RHM and AA, Murphy also worked at Clifford Chance and at HSBC, but not in a legal role instead doing financial analysis for the lender. He leaves to take on the GC role at Travelport which provides distribution, technology, payment and other solutions for the travel and tourism industry.
Leadbeater, who took over the position last month, was previously GC and head of commercial for William Hill Online before taking up the position of director of group legal services. He moved in-house after having worked at Eversheds for nearly nine years.
kathryn.mcann@legalease.co.uk
