Simon Westbury has announced his departure from both Digitain and SportGenerate after five and a half years of dedicated service. His decision to leave the companies, where he held the positions of Chief Business Officer (CBO) at Digitain and CEO of SportGenerate, marks a significant transition for both Westbury and the companies involved. The exit, which took place on Friday, 11 October, was formally revealed through a LinkedIn post, where Westbury reflected on his journey and expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he was given.
Simon Westbury Exits Digitain and SportGenerate After Five and a Half Years of Service
Westbury’s Reflections on His Time at Digitain and SportGenerate
In his LinkedIn post, Westbury quoted a popular Armenian saying: “There is no good without bad and no bad without good.” He emphasized that his time with Digitain and SportGenerate was far more than just a job; it was a passionate pursuit that shaped his professional growth and brought unparalleled success. Reflecting on the balance of good and bad times, Westbury made it clear that the positive memories far outweighed the challenges he faced during his half-decade tenure.
During his leadership at Digitain, Westbury was integral to the company’s rapid growth and innovation in the iGaming sector. His role as CBO demanded a focus on business development, partnerships, and driving global expansion. At SportGenerate, where he served as CEO, Westbury was faced with a new set of challenges that pushed him to develop skills beyond his comfort zone. In his LinkedIn post, he acknowledged the importance of momentum and empowerment, noting that he made it a priority to empower his colleagues to make decisions freely while removing barriers to ensure their success.
The Importance of Integrity and Leadership
Throughout his post, Simon Westbury underlined the core values that guided his leadership style. He particularly highlighted the importance of integrity, stating, “Integrity is very important to me, and I believe I can say I hold my head high.” These words reflect his commitment to ethical leadership, a principle that shaped his approach to building and maintaining business relationships.
Westbury also credited the visionary leadership of Digitain’s Founder, Vardges Vardanyan, for providing him with the platform to succeed. Vardanyan’s trust and guidance allowed Westbury to flourish in his role, helping him bring strategic initiatives to life. In closing his message, Westbury wrote, “Thanks for the memories, now it is time to chill and catch up on sleep,” signaling his readiness for a well-deserved break after years of intense work and commitment.
Digitain’s Continued Expansion in Europe
The announcement of Westbury’s departure coincides with Digitain’s continued expansion into the European market. The supplier was recently granted the necessary approvals to begin operations in the UK, which represents a significant milestone in its international growth strategy. The UK license enables Digitain to further expand its European footprint and offer its gaming solutions to a broader audience in one of the most competitive and highly regulated markets in the world.
In addition to the UK license, Digitain also secured an A1 Manufacturer’s License from the Hellenic Gaming Commission, allowing it to begin operations in Greece. This move further cements Digitain’s position as a leading provider of iGaming and sportsbook solutions in Europe. These regulatory achievements underscore the company’s commitment to growth and compliance in some of the most stringent markets globally.
Simon Westbury’s Journey as CEO of SportGenerate
In his role as CEO of SportGenerate, Simon Westbury embraced new challenges that came with the territory of running a business at the executive level. Speaking to Gambling Insider earlier this year, Westbury provided insights into his journey, highlighting how the role of CEO demanded different skills than those required in his previous positions. As a natural business developer and salesperson, Westbury found the transition to CEO to be both challenging and rewarding, requiring him to develop new capabilities in leadership, strategic decision-making, and operational management.
“I have found the new role challenging, demanding, and more consuming than anything I have ever done, but I have learned so much,” Westbury remarked. He further explained that the learning curve was steep, but the experience helped him evolve into a more well-rounded professional. Unlike his previous roles, where sales came easily to him, the responsibilities of a CEO required learning on the job and applying a broad range of new skills.
Westbury’s success as CEO was due, in large part, to the support of his talented team. He acknowledged that the collaborative spirit and expertise of the team were instrumental in navigating the demands of his role and achieving success over the last 15 months.
What’s Next for Simon Westbury?
As Westbury steps away from his leadership roles at Digitain and SportGenerate, the industry is left wondering what’s next for the seasoned professional. Although he did not explicitly state his future plans in his LinkedIn post, his comments about taking time to relax suggest that a well-deserved break is his immediate priority. Given his wealth of experience and proven track record in the iGaming industry, it is likely that Westbury will return to the business world in some capacity, whether in a new leadership role or as a consultant.
For now, Westbury has chosen to reflect on the successes of his time at Digitain and SportGenerate, emphasizing the importance of balance between the good and the bad and expressing gratitude for the opportunities he has had. His departure marks the end of an era, but his contributions to both companies will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.
Conclusion: The Exit
Simon Westbury’s exit from Digitain and SportGenerate is a significant event in the iGaming industry. After five and a half years of service, Westbury leaves behind a legacy of business growth, leadership excellence, and strategic vision. His departure comes at a time when Digitain is poised for even greater success, with new licenses in the UK and Greece and ambitious plans for further expansion in Europe.
FAQs About Simon Westbury’s Departure from Digitain and SportGenerate
1. Who is Simon Westbury?
Simon Westbury is a seasoned professional in the iGaming industry, having served as the Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Digitain and the CEO of SportGenerate. He has over five years of experience with both companies, playing a key role in their growth and success.
2. When did Simon Westbury leave Digitain and SportGenerate?
Simon Westbury’s departure took place on Friday, 11 October, as he announced his decision to leave both roles after five and a half years with the businesses.
3. What roles did Simon Westbury hold at Digitain and SportGenerate?
Westbury held two significant roles: Chief Business Officer (CBO) at Digitain and CEO of SportGenerate. In these roles, he was responsible for driving business development, global expansion, and managing day-to-day operations.
4. What did Simon Westbury say about his departure?
In a LinkedIn post, Simon Westbury reflected on his time with Digitain and SportGenerate, emphasizing that the good memories far outweighed the bad. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities and described his time with the companies as an “all-consuming passion.”
5. What did Simon Westbury highlight as his key leadership principles?
Westbury emphasized the importance of integrity and empowerment. He spoke about empowering his colleagues to make decisions while removing barriers for them to succeed in their roles. He also highlighted the importance of integrity in leadership.
6. Why is Simon Westbury’s departure significant for Digitain and SportGenerate?
Westbury played a crucial role in the growth and international expansion of Digitain and SportGenerate. His leadership was instrumental in securing important business deals and licenses, particularly in Europe, positioning both companies for future success.
7. What recent accomplishments did Digitain achieve before Simon Westbury’s departure?
Digitain was recently granted a UK license, which allows the company to expand its operations in one of the most competitive markets. Additionally, the company secured an A1 Manufacturer’s License from the Hellenic Gaming Commission, enabling operations in Greece.
8. What challenges did Simon Westbury face as CEO of SportGenerate?
In an interview, Westbury admitted that being CEO of SportGenerate was more challenging and consuming than any previous role. It required him to develop new skills beyond his natural abilities in sales and business development.
9. What’s next for Simon Westbury after leaving Digitain and SportGenerate?
While Simon Westbury has not disclosed his future plans, his LinkedIn post indicated that he is looking forward to taking a break and catching up on sleep. Given his experience, many expect him to remain involved in the iGaming industry in some capacity.
10. How did Simon Westbury reflect on his time with Digitain and SportGenerate?
Westbury expressed immense gratitude for the opportunities provided by Digitain’s Founder, Vardges Vardanyan, and noted that his time at both companies helped him grow personally and professionally.
11. What legacy does Simon Westbury leave behind?
Westbury’s legacy is one of business growth, leadership excellence, and global expansion. His focus on empowering colleagues and upholding integrity in leadership will continue to influence both Digitain and SportGenerate.
