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December 18, 2008
Final furlong for bookmaker?
In the blue corner: Alan Ross
The retirement next summer of Alan Ross, the head of corporate development for Ladbrokes, will bring down the curtain on the career of one of the more colourful characters in the world of bookmaking.
Ross, who has been with Ladbrokes for 37 years, is well known for his love of Scotch pies and loves to regale anybody who will listen with his latest joke.
However, he is also renowned as a tough negotiator, having played a leading role in several important acquisitions.
On one occasion, his opposite number at the negotiating table declared that the talks were off and headed for the lift, only for Ross to jump in with him. By the time they reached the ground floor, the talks were back on and a deal was signed.
The Scot, who started as an independent bookmaker, joined Ladbrokes in 1971, working at its shops in Dundee. He rose to become managing director of its retail operations in 2000 and was elevated to the main board in 2006, after the sale of Hilton Hotels.
Speculation that Ross, 65, who will remain a consultant to Ladbrokes, might be on the final furlong has been gathering pace over the past 18 months, since he gave up responsibility for the UK betting shops. |
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发表于 2008-12-26 22:17
