Per Eriksson removed as NetEnt CEO

Per Eriksson has been ousted as NetEnt’s CEO and president, with a new focus on long-term growth the goal for his replacement.

The move has been announced by the global igaming firm following on from a disappointing 2017, which featured a 3.9 per cent year-on-year decline in operating profits.

Therese Hillman has been appointed as acting CEO. With a recruitment process already under way, the Nasdaq Stockholm-listed company aims to make a permanent appointment as soon as possible. 

NetEnt’s chairman of the board, Vigo Carlund, said: ”NetEnt has developed well over many years and several parts of the business are still developing well, for example in regulated markets, but the overall performance of the group has not been as it should.

“The board believes that NetEnt needs a new driving force to reverse the trend and increase the focus on growth. The value creation potential in NetEnt remains significant. The online gaming market has structural growth driven by the migration from offline to online gaming.

“The company has a solid balance sheet and a strong brand name in its segment of the market. The board would also like to extend its gratitude to Per Eriksson for his time as CEO for NetEnt.”

As well as taking on CEO duties in the interim, Hillman will also remain in her current position as chief financial officer.

Eriksson was head of Dell Europe, Middle East and Africa before he joined NetEnt as CEO in 2012.