In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Elena, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in business transformation and leadership.

Elena shares her journey from starting as a PA to leading billion-pound transformation projects in highly regulated industries.

The conversation explores navigating career transitions, the importance of leadership adaptability, and how diverse perspectives shape high-performing teams.

Elena provides actionable advice for leaders looking to progress into executive roles and lead with confidence.

Guest Bio

Elena Chambers is the Group Chief Transformation and Corporate Development Officer at Allwyn, bringing over 20 years of global experience in strategic planning and business transformation. Her journey from starting as a PA in Moscow to leading billion-pound transformations showcases her ability to drive innovation across industries.

Prior to Allwyn, she served as COO at 888holdings where she led the William Hill post-merger integration, and spent 12 years at British American Tobacco leading a £1.2bn global transformation program. A graduate of both Columbia and London Business School, Elena brings a unique perspective shaped by her cross-cultural experience, with a leadership approach that emphasizes curiosity, authenticity, and building diverse teams to drive organizational change.

Key Topics Discussed

02:00 – Elena’s career journey: From PA to leading transformation projects

03:50 – Breaking into the iGaming industry and taking on executive roles

07:20 – Managing international teams and adapting to different leadership cultures

11:50 – Leveraging strengths as a woman in a male-dominated industry

20:30 – The importance of delegation and letting go to grow as a leader

25:30 – Handling imposter syndrome and embracing continuous learning

29:00 – Lessons from the tobacco industry: Anticipating regulatory changes in gaming

32:20 – The future of national lotteries and the role of technology in transformation

Memorable Quotes

"If you try to mimic your male colleagues' behavior, that's not going to get you anywhere—be yourself and use your unique strengths."

"One of the biggest skills for a leader is to build a team that complements each other, not one that mirrors each other."

"Start transforming from the inside while you still can—don’t wait until you’re forced to change."

Important Links

Connect with Elena: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenareznikorskaya/

Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/

Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup

Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Georgia Parry, Director of Key Accounts at Blueprint, to discuss her incredible career progression, overcoming adversity, and her leadership philosophy.

Georgia shares how she went from an office administrator to a director in just seven years, the lessons she learned from a major health scare, balancing leadership with single parenthood, and how she built her confidence in a high-stakes industry.

This conversation dives into personal resilience, leadership growth, and strategies for managing stakeholder relationships in gaming.

Whether you're an aspiring leader, a working parent, or someone looking to build more confidence in your career, Georgia’s story is packed with valuable insights.

Guest Bio

Georgia Parry is the Director of Key Accounts UK at Blueprint Gaming, where she has been a key player for the past seven years, starting her journey as an Office Administrator before rapidly climbing the ranks. Prior to joining the gaming industry, she worked as a Sales Negotiator in real estate, but her passion for people and relationship-building naturally led her into commercial roles.

As an extroverted and highly social leader, Georgia thrives in roles that emphasize human connection. She firmly believes that people buy from people, not just products, and that hiring genuinely good individuals is the foundation of a successful business. While still learning the nuances of her leadership position, she embraces the journey and the challenges that come with it.

Outside of work, Georgia is a devoted mother to her 8-year-old son, Henry, her greatest motivation to succeed.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction
03:50 – The Science Teacher’s Prediction
05:50 – Pivotal Career Moments
08:00 – Navigating a Major Life Change
12:50 – Facing a Life-Threatening Health Scare
16:30 – The Power of Positivity and Resilience
19:30 – Leadership & Emotional Intelligence
26:00 – Building Relationships in iGaming
28:30 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
31:50 – Lessons from Great Leaders
34:20 – Advice to Her Younger Self

Memorable Quotes

📌 “I truly believe that if you understand what makes people happy at work, you’ll get the best out of them—without needing to be a strict leader.”
📌 “If you’re progressing in your career, imposter syndrome is natural. It means you’re in the right place.”
📌 “Life is short—don’t waste energy on negativity. Control what you can, and let go of the rest.”
📌 “If you ever don’t know the answer, just say, ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out.’ That’s how you build credibility.”

Important Links

• Connect with Georgia Parry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-parry-a86424159
• Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/
• Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup
• Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Andrew Bulloss, Partner at Odgers Berndtson, to explore the evolution of leadership in the iGaming industry. Andrew shares his journey from sports recruitment to building one of the most influential executive search practices in betting and gaming.

The conversation covers how leadership requirements have changed over the last decade, why curiosity is an underrated trait, and what it really takes to break into C-level positions. Andrew also dives into how leaders can develop their self-awareness, overcome imposter syndrome, and position themselves for board-level roles.

Whether you're an aspiring leader, an experienced executive, or someone looking to make a meaningful career move, this episode is filled with actionable insights and hard-earned wisdom to help you grow.

Guest Bio

Andrew Bulloss is a Partner at Odgers Berndtson, where he runs the global gaming practice - all the board and leadership roles handled in igaming, betting and interactive entertainment internationally.

He also runs the broader entertainment division at Odgers - a team of around 20 people in London working with clients in media, sport, music and gaming. Last year they handled over 90 senior appointments in 14 countries

His expertise in identifying high-impact leaders, understanding talent trends, and guiding executives into board-level positions has made him a trusted advisor to CEOs, investors, and leadership teams worldwide.

In his own words: I love my job. I meet some amazing people. Its a good reason to get out of bed in the morning.

He is a Dad of twins, mid-life crisis mountain biker and road biker.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction
03:00 – Building a Career in iGaming
06:00 – The Highs and Lows of Executive Search
09:30 – Finding Your Voice as a Leader
11:50 – The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership
14:30 – Lessons from Top CEOs
17:00 – The Most Underrated Leadership Trait: Curiosity
19:00 – Authenticity, Empathy, and Collaboration
22:30 – Inside vs. Outside Industry Hires
26:00 – How to Prepare for Board-Level Roles
30:00 – Breaking into C-Level Positions
34:00 – The Power of Personal Branding

Memorable Quotes

📌 “Imposter syndrome shows that you care. If you’re not at least a little nervous before a big meeting, do you even care about the outcome?”

📌 “I only do the things that only I can do.”

📌 “Curiosity is a leadership superpower. Great executives look beyond their industry for ideas and innovation.”

📌 “Being authentic and showing empathy, they’re the foundation of strong leadership.”

Important Links

• Connect with Andrew Bulloss:
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-bulloss-b495651/
  • https://www.odgersberndtson.com/
• Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/
• Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup
• Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

How to Lead Major Industry Events – Alex Pratt on Balancing Success with Well-Being

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Alex Pratt, Group Managing Director at Clarion Gaming, to discuss leadership in large-scale events, business resilience, and the mindset shifts needed to sustain long-term success.

Alex shares his journey from sales to leading some of the most influential events in the iGaming industry, including ICE and iGaming Business. He provides insights into what makes an event successful, how to navigate high-pressure situations, and why adaptability is key in the ever-changing gaming industry.

The conversation also covers authentic leadership, personal growth, and work-life balance, offering valuable lessons for executives, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to thrive in high-performance environments.

Guest Bio

Alex Pratt is the Group Managing Director at Clarion Gaming, overseeing some of the industry's most prominent events, including ICE and iGB Affiliate. With over two decades of experience in iGaming, he has played a pivotal role in shaping gaming media, events, and community-building.

He began his career in sales, eventually growing iGaming Business from a small quarterly print magazine into a dominant media powerhouse. He later joined Clarion Gaming, where he has led transformative changes, including the recent relocation of ICE from London to Barcelona.

Known for his strategic vision, innovative approach, and people-first leadership style, Alex is passionate about creating valuable industry connections, improving workplace culture, and helping leaders grow both professionally and personally.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction
01:30 – Moving ICE to Barcelona
06:30 – Starting in Sales
09:00 – Journey in iGaming
12:00 – Almost Losing the Business Overnight
17:30 – Handling Public Criticism and Pressure as a Leader
21:30 – Authenticity and setting boundaries
26:00 – Vulnerable Authentic Leadership
33:00 – The Future of Industry Events and AI in Conferences
38:40 – How to Get the Most Out of Industry Events
43:40 – Work-Life Balance and Leadership Energy Management

Important Links

• Connect with Alex Pratt:
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-pratt/
  • https://www.icegaming.com/
  • https://www.igblive.com/
  • https://igamingbusiness.com/
  • https://www.igbaffiliate.com/
  • https://ggbnews.com/

• Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/
• Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup
• Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

From Burnout to Unstoppable Entrepreneurship: Lessons in Leadership and forging your own path with Robert Lenzhofer

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Robert Lenzhofer, Co-Founder & CEO of Hölle Games, to discuss his 20-year journey in the gaming industry, from his early days at Bwin to leading his own tech-driven company. Robert opens up about the lessons he learned from burnout, the power of asynchronous work, and the importance of creating agile, efficient teams.

This conversation is packed with insights for leaders seeking to improve organizational flow, reduce workflow waste, and build sustainable businesses while maintaining personal well-being.

Guest Bio

Robert has been involved in free-to-play and real-money gaming for 20 years. Starting with Bwin in Vienna in 2001, Robert was instrumental in the early stages of product development of the sports betting and casino products, specifically being responsible for the launch of Bwin Casino and Bwin Poker.

Robert moved to Berlin in 2010 and headed the Product Development of Crowdpark, an Earlybird and Target-Partners funded venture in the area of social betting. Later, Robert co-founded Crowdbet, taking prediction market technology into the real-money sports betting market.

In 2015, Robert co-founded Glück Games, a real-money lottery game supplier for private and state lottery companies. In 2018, Glück Games merged with Gamevy, a London-based supplier of Instant Win games. Today, the company is called g.games and has multi-year contracts with the state lotteries of Italy, Norway, Turkey, Latvia, Denmark, Morocco, etc.

Today, Robert is the Co-Founder & CEO Hölle Games, an ISO 27001 certified 'Made in Germany' video slots company that also has a Remote Gaming Server (RGS) business-vertical called hinterzimmer.io.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – Robert transition into the gaming industry.
04:20 – Questions about the industry's impact.
07:00 – The Tanker vs. Speedboat Metaphor
10:00 – The Impact of Burnout
15:38 – Lessons from Large Organizations
19:45 – Applying Lean Thinking in iGaming
24:00 – The Power of Asynchronous Work
29:30 – Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Memorable Quotes

1. “The organization should be like a brain, retaining knowledge and learning from its experiences.”
2. “Burnout isn’t about working too many hours—it’s about feeling out of control.”
3. “You learn the most when you lose. Winning hardly teaches you anything.”

Important Links
Connect with Robert Lenzhofer:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlenzhofer/
• https://www.xn--hlle-5qa.games/
• https://www.hinterzimmer.io/

Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/

Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup

Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

In this inspiring episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk, VP at IDnow, to discuss his remarkable journey from his strenuous beginnings to becoming a prominent leader in the iGaming industry.

Roger shares his unique insights about overcoming personal and professional challenges, developing accountability, and maintaining a growth mindset to achieve great success.

We delve deep into the lessons Roger has learned about leadership, the importance of team spirit, and the transformative power of taking ownership for your own actions. You will gain valuable advice on balancing ambition with personal well-being, celebrating team success, and embracing the journey of self-improvement.

Guest Bio

Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk is a 32-year-old visionary leader and the Vice President Gaming at IDnow, now 8 years in the iGaming industry.. With a career that began in sales, Roger has rapidly ascended to leadership roles and became the youngest VP in the company at 29.

A huge sports fan with football, American football, basketball, Formula 1 and baseball being by far his favourites.

In his own words: making mistakes is the only way to get better, owning and being accountable for your own actions is the only way to become and stay successful.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – Roger’s Journey to VP at IDnow
07:49 – Lessons from Humble Beginnings
13:00 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
12:00 – Celebrating Team Success
17:18 – The Weight-Loss Journey
24:00 – Tremendous Benefits Beyond the Scale
27:48 – Learning From Mistakes
31:10 – The Power of Accountability
36:20 – Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Memorable Quotes

1. “Success as a team is worth ten times more than individual success. It’s about celebrating together.”
2. “Mistakes are there to teach us. Own them, learn from them, and move forward.”
3. “Happiness is found in the journey, not the destination. The process is where growth happens.”
   
   

Important Links

• Connect with Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerredfearntyrzyk
• Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/
• Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup
• Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

From Police Raids to Transforming iGaming Events: Pierre Lindh’s Remarkable iGaming Leadership Story

In this episode of the iGaming Leader podcast, Leo speaks with Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Next.io. Pierre shares his entrepreneurial journey, from founding a poker club in his teens to leading Next.io through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation explores the evolution of Pierre’s leadership style, the importance of building genuine connections, and his mission to foster a global iGaming community.

The discussion highlights lessons in resilience, adaptability, and authenticity, offering inspiration and practical advice for leaders and entrepreneurs navigating a rapidly evolving industry.

Guest Bio

Today we're joined by Pierre, a pioneering force in the online gambling and gaming industry. His remarkable journey began during the early days of online poker, where his passion for the industry first took root. In 2006, Pierre took on an influential role with the Swedish Poker Federation, championing the cause for poker legalisation in Sweden. His expertise then led him to leadership positions at major online gambling platforms like Betsafe and Betsson Group, where he mastered the art of high-end hospitality events.

Drawing on his rich industry experience, Pierre co-founded Ambassadör Events in 2013, which has since orchestrated over 600 successful events and created some of Europe's most celebrated festival brands. But he didn't stop there. In 2019, Pierre embarked on his most ambitious venture yet, co-founding NEXT.io, which has quickly become the beating heart of the iGaming community. Under his guidance, NEXT.io has evolved into a powerhouse, hosting major conferences across Europe and North America, while running the industry's leading trade media news portal and podcast covering online gambling and sports betting.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction: Pierre shares his roots in poker and his entry into the iGaming industry.

02:00 – The story of founding a poker club at 17 and the lessons learned from navigating challenges with law enforcement and media attention.

07:00 – How Pierre’s intense focus has shaped his ventures, from poker to building Next.io.

13:00 – The Birth of Next.io: The journey from organizing events for others to founding a platform focused on creating meaningful iGaming experiences.

15:00 – Adapting During COVID-19: How Next.io reinvented itself during the pandemic by offering free thought leadership content, reshaping the way iGaming professionals connect.

19:00 – Insights into navigating financial challenges during the pandemic and fostering loyalty and trust within the team.

24:00 – Public Speaking and Overcoming Fears: Pierre’s personal journey to overcome his fear of public speaking, culminating in hosting Next.io’s inaugural event.

35:00 – Building Genuine Connections: Why relationships are at the heart of success in iGaming and the importance of creating authentic communities.

42:00 – Vision for the Future: Pierre’s mission to build the world’s most connected iGaming community and foster collaboration across the industry.

Important Links

Connect with Pierre Lindh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrelindh/

Learn more about Next.io: https://next.io/

Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/

Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup

Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

The Real Cost of Success as a Founder with Pini Yakuel

In this episode of the iGaming Leader podcast, Leo sits down with Pini Yakuel, Founder & CEO of Optimove, to explore the emotional and operational challenges of being a founder.

Pini shares some powerful insights into balancing obsession with sustainability, overcoming leadership hurdles, and managing the evolving relationship between a founder and their growing team.

From managing offsite tensions to parenting lessons applied to leadership, this episode is filled with reflections and brilliant advice for leaders at any stage of their journey.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the real costs—and rewards—of building a successful company.

Key Topics Discussed

• 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction
• 01:00 – The Origins of Optimove. Pini shares his entrepreneurial journey, from childhood dreams of running his own business to the founding of Optimove.
• 08:00 – Balancing hands-on leadership with empowering teams while avoiding becoming the bottleneck in a fast-growing company.
• 12:00 – Pini shares insights on managing executive meetings, fostering transparency, and avoiding unproductive tensions.
• 17:00 – Building a culture where team members feel ownership and stay long-term, while also coping with the emotional impact of departures.
• 22:00 – Why obsession is essential in the early stages of entrepreneurship, and how balance becomes crucial as the company matures.
• 28:00 – How a budgeting strategy with his kids translated into a leadership lesson about delegation and autonomy.
• 32:00 – Pini shares his most important lessons on leadership, self-awareness, and continuous improvement.

3 Main Takeaways

1. Obsession Fuels Success but Needs Balance

While it is essential in the early days of building a company, sustainable success requires evolving into a more balanced leader who knows when to step back and trust the team.

2. Transparency Builds Stronger Teams

Open and emotionally intelligent communication, especially during critical team discussions, prevents misunderstandings and fosters a culture of trust and collaboration.

3. Leadership Lessons from Parenting

Empowering team members with autonomy—similar to giving children responsibility—leads to greater accountability, smarter decision-making, and reduced friction.

About the Guest

Our guest today is Pini Yakuel, a visionary entrepreneur who's revolutionising how brands connect with their customers. As the Co-founder and CEO of Optimove, Pini has transformed a two-person startup in 2009 into a global powerhouse in retention marketing. Under his leadership, Optimove pioneered the concept of Customer-led Marketing, flipping the traditional marketing playbook on its head by putting customers - not campaigns or products - at the centre of every decision. This innovative approach has proven remarkably successful, helping hundreds of leading consumer brands boost their customer lifetime value by an average of 33%. Pini brings a unique analytical perspective to marketing, backed by his Master's degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Tel Aviv University.

Important Links

• 
  Connect with Pini Yakuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piniyakuel
• Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/
• Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup
• Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/