Coral marketing director to quit

Bookmaker Coral is losing its marketing director, Kelvin Stacey, who is leaving at the end of the month and will not be replaced.

Stacey, who has been with the company for six years, is quitting to continue an MBA at Cranfield and will work as a consultant at Coral until the end of November.

A commercial manager will be appointed to pick up some of his responsibilities, while the remainder will be devolved to main board members.

Bass-owned Coral, the UK’s third largest bookmaker, is at the forefront of the campaign urging the Government to allow punters to bet on National Lottery numbers and also allow betting shops to sell Lottery tickets.

Stacey has been responsible for leading Coral’s marketing drive through the most turbulent period in the betting industry’s recent history as the effects of the Lottery took hold. A report from the Henley Centre, commissioned by the Bookmaker’s Committee, predicted betting companies’ profits would fall by 25 to 30 per cent because of the Lottery.

Stacey also oversaw the betting shops’ redesign earlier this year, after legislation was passed allowing them to open up to the high street. Coral’s new look was intended to convey a “building society or bank” feel, according to Stacey.