Flutter appoints Big Tobacco CEO as non-executive director
Summary
Flutter Entertainment has appointed Stefan Bomhard to its board as a non-executive director, effective 1 October 2025. Bomhard is currently CEO and a board member of Imperial Brands, the world’s fourth-largest international tobacco company; he will retire as Imperial CEO on 1 October but remain on its board until the end of 2025.
Bomhard’s background includes CEO roles at Inchcape PLC and senior executive positions across consumer goods and spirits firms such as Bacardi, Cadbury and Unilever, as well as earlier roles at Diageo and Procter & Gamble. Flutter confirms his remuneration will follow its published non-executive fee schedule, which the company’s 2025 AGM notice lists as a $110,000 annual cash retainer and $205,000 in annual equity grants for non-exec directors.
Key Points
- Stefan Bomhard joins Flutter’s board as a non-executive director from 1 October 2025.
- He will step down as Imperial Brands CEO on 1 October but remain an Imperial director through 2025.
- Bomhard brings experience from automotive distribution (Inchcape) and major consumer and drinks companies (Bacardi, Cadbury, Unilever, Diageo, P&G).
- Flutter’s disclosed non-exec pay for 2025: $110,000 cash retainer plus $205,000 in equity grants; additional fees apply for chair and committee roles.
- The appointment may raise governance and reputational questions given Bomhard’s current role at a major tobacco company.
Why should I read this?
Heads up — if you track board moves, governance or ESG in iGaming, this one’s worth a quick scan. We’ve done the legwork: it’s a straight appointment on paper, but the tobacco connection could spark investor and regulator chatter. Short and punchy: new non-exec, notable CV, possible reputational heat. Read if governance, strategy or public perception matter to you.
Context and Relevance
The hire matters because board composition signals strategic direction and affects stakeholder perception. Flutter is a major player in global betting and gaming; adding a director currently leading a large tobacco firm intersects with ongoing industry focus on governance, regulatory scrutiny and ESG concerns. For investors, partners and regulators, the move is relevant to debates about acceptable industry links and potential impacts on brand and policy engagement.
Source
Source:https://next.io/news/people/flutter-appoints-big-tobacco-ceo-director/