Kindred Group plc has announced significant changes to its Board of Directors, following the recent public offer from La Française des Jeux (FDJ). The reshuffling comes after several resignations and new appointments, marking a transition phase for the global iGaming operator.
Board Member Resignations
On 14 October 2024, Kindred confirmed the resignations of key board members, including Chairman Evert Carlsson, and Directors James H. Gemmel, Cédric Boireau, Andrew McCue, Jonas Jansson, and Kenneth Shea. These resignations became effective immediately, following the settlement of FDJ’s public offer for Kindred.
Two current directors, Heidi Skogster and Martin Randel, will remain in their positions until Kindred’s next annual general meeting (AGM) in 2025.
New Appointments to the Board
In accordance with the company’s articles of association, Kindred has elected three new members to its Board of Directors, effective 14 October 2024. The appointments were made based on proposals from FDJ to fill the vacancies left by the departing directors.
- Pascal Chaffard has been appointed Chairperson of the Board.
- Edeline Minaire and Célia Vérot have been elected as new directors.
These appointments will continue until the next AGM in 2025. The restructured Board of Directors now consists of:
- Pascal Chaffard (Chairperson)
- Edeline Minaire
- Célia Vérot
- Heidi Skogster
- Martin Randel
Changes to Committees
Alongside the new board appointments, Kindred has announced updates to its Audit and Remuneration Committees, effective immediately:
- The Audit Committee will be chaired by Heidi Skogster, with Martin Randel and Edeline Minaire also serving as members.
- The Remuneration Committee will be chaired by Pascal Chaffard, with Martin Randel and Heidi Skogster supporting.
Biographies of the New Directors
- Pascal Chaffard
Pascal Chaffard brings decades of experience from FDJ, where he has served in various leadership roles since joining the company in 1994. His previous roles include Head of Strategy and Transformation, Product Marketing Director, and Financial Planning and Analysis Director. He currently holds the position of Executive Vice-President, Finance, Performance, and Strategy.
- Edeline Minaire
A finance expert with broad experience in major corporations, Edeline Minaire has been with FDJ since 2016, serving as Finance Director since 2019. She has played a leading role in automation and digitalization projects within the company. Previously, she held senior finance roles at Lafarge, contributing to the LafargeHolcim merger, and began her career at Ernst & Young.
- Célia Vérot
Since May 2024, Célia Vérot has served as FDJ’s Chief Regulation Officer. Before joining FDJ, she held various positions within the French Conseil d’Etat and served as Deputy Secretary General and Advisor at the French Prime Minister’s Office. Her experience also includes leadership roles at Veolia Water Japan and Fondation du Patrimoine.
Looking Ahead
These changes in the leadership structure signal a period of transformation for Kindred Group, driven by its new alignment with La Française des Jeux. As the company moves forward, the expertise of the newly appointed board members is expected to play a pivotal role in guiding Kindred’s strategy and operations through this new phase in its journey.