NetEnt's CEO Therese Hillman Steps Down After Three Years

Three years after discharging Per Eriksson, chief executive of NetEnt, and appointing the company’s financial officer, Therese Hillman, as acting CEO, the leading digital entertainment company with gaming solutions has made another unexpected move and announced her departure, effective immediately.

Therese Hillman notified the public about her withdrawal from the online gaming supplier in a LinkedIn post from 28 February.

The Company Is in Good Hands

As Therese explained in her informal resignation letter, where she also said goodbye to all the colleagues, ex-colleagues, customers, competitors and partners, it’s been a pleasure to meet and get to know everyone during her years with NetEnt and Red Tiger.

She said that the entire duration of her three-year term as the company’s CEO has been easy and fun, but also quite challenging from day one. Hillman reveals she had to bring a lot of tough decisions during this period and she is very thankful for the hard work that was carried out.

Alongside new and exciting game releases, market entries, the Red Tiger acquisition and financial growth, NetEnt also had to go through savings programs and re-organizations.

The group has recently been integrated to Evolution and is now in the best of hands, explained Hillman.

“I am excited to see how the business will continue to develop and I am also looking forward to see the product innovations that will be offered to operators and players around the world,” added the outgoing CEO.

Therese Hillman closed her letter by expressing special thanks to Henrik for great co-operation, Gavin for being the best co-CEO, Rob and Andy for the customer focus, Lara and Aditya for their huge efforts, Lasse for the Red Tiger acquisition and , Andres R. and team for the grind, Lotta for everything and everyone else.

Departure, She Wrote

It seems a little bit odd that the largest supplier of digitally distributed gaming systems in the world has brought such unexpected move with immediate effect after exactly three years, especially in these uncertain times.

A lot of goals and deadlines have been reached during Therese’s term as chief executive officer, including strong financial growth and acquisition of a US gaming license. The business manager and former elite athlete has shown huge talent for sales and business development since 2018 and these are just some of her achievements:

• Increased profitability and competitiveness
• Product integrity with Live Fraud Solutions
• Acquisition of Red Tiger Gaming
• Going live with DraftKings in New Jersey
• Going live in Pennsylvania
• Entrance into West Virginia
• Expansion in the US with BetMGM
• Partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group
• Addition of multiple suppliers to NetEnt Connect and more

She was appointed as acting CEO back in March 2018, after the Board’s decision to discharge Per Eriksson. As reported, the company will continue to grow across markets in the Nordics and the UK, despite the increased competition and her withdrawal.

To conclude, Hillman’s main target will likely remain the same when her successor steps up, which is higher revenue growth than cost growth. The Swedish corporation has probably already initiated the recruitment process.

Stay tuned for more news.

Source:

“Breaking News: Therese Hillman resigns as NetEnt CEO”, europeangaming.eu, March 1, 2021.