Allwyn Appoints Ifor Evans as Group Chief Technology Officer

Leading multi-national lottery operator with a focus on building better lotteries that return more to good causes via innovation and technology, Allwyn, has announced the appointment of Ifor Evans as the new group chief technology officer (CTO). 

Evans will replace the group’s former CTO, Tony Khatskevich, who exited the position at the end of six years of exemplary service to pursue a new position as advisor to the chief executive officer and board of directors. 

Khatskevich originally joined the group in September 2018 after spending close to six years with Playtech. His role in transitioning the fourth UK National Lottery license from Camelot to Allwyn was deemed crucial.

Evans Will Start on June 1 
The accomplished CTO who has gathered two and a half decades of experience under his belt in software engineering, systems and data architecture, IT management, and project leadership will take up his new role starting June 1. 

Before reaching Allwyn, Evans spent close to five years with Gamesys PLC/Bally’s Corp in the same group CTO position. 

He was responsible for developing, maintaining, and operating a series of highly capable gaming platforms.

Before joining Gamesys, Evans was Lazada’s group CTO for the Southeast Asia region part of the Alibaba Group, working in Singapore.

From the same position, he successfully set up Lazada eLogistics (LEL) as a separate entity within the group, leading a team of more than 400 people and overseeing the creation and implementation of a comprehensive technology strategy.

Before Lazada, Evans was the group CTP for PropertyGuru Singapore between August 2013 and January 2016. 

His impressive portfolio also includes a global head of development, transaction banking position with Misys between April 2012 and July 2013 in London, United Kingdom, and a head of development (platform) role with Betfair between May 2011 and April 2012. 

Evans was also dunnhumby Ltd’s development director for three years before that, CTO for WorldPictureNetwork between June 2004 – August 2008, senior architect for ThoughtWorks between 2001 – 2004, and head of development/lead architect for New Era of Networks, Inc (NEON) between January 1997 and May 2001.

Allwyn, “Delighted to Welcome Ifor”
The group’s chief executive officer, Robert Chvátal, took the opportunity to express delight in welcoming Evans as their new group CTO as a means of continuing to enhance “the innovation” of the lotteries they operate. 

Chvátal, who also thanked Khatskevich “for his exceptional contribution and commitment to Allwyn over the past six years” and praised his “pivotal role in establishing a strong technology function”, called Evans “a dynamic business leader” with an excellent track record of delivering technology solutions across the gaming and IT sector. 

The CEO also spoke about Evans’ “exceptional strategic capabilities, proven operational effectiveness and strong experience” in the markets the group is interested in. 

Evans also expressed his delight for joining Allwyn as the new group CTO, speaking about its commitment to social impact which he called “evident across its global footprint.”

He added he was looking forward to assisting the team with developing “even better lotteries and new game formats” via state-of-the-art technology and “future thinking.”

Earlier in the week, Allwyn published its preliminary unaudited Q1 update. CEO Chvátal said the preliminary results reflected a strong start to the year.