Dafne Guisard to Lead Operations at Entain

In a move set to further strengthen its leadership team, global sports betting and gaming giant Entain plc has announced the appointment of Dafne Guisard as its new Chief Operations Officer (COO). The appointment, effective from January 13, 2025, will see Guisard take on a key role in driving operational excellence, strategic planning, and integration efforts at Entain. Her appointment comes at a time when the company is experiencing significant revenue growth and expanding its presence in key markets.

A Seasoned Leader with Global Experience

Dafne Guisard brings with her a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, transformation, and digital innovation. Before joining Entain, she served as the Chief Strategy, Transformation, and Digital Officer at The Kraft Heinz Company, where she was instrumental in shaping the company's global ten-year growth strategy. In her role, Guisard was responsible for developing new operational models, leading digital transformation across the entire organization, and helping drive strategic initiatives aimed at sustaining long-term growth.

Her leadership at Kraft Heinz contributed to the company’s ability to adapt to rapidly changing market dynamics and technological advancements. Guisard’s expertise in digital transformation and strategy development will be key to her success at Entain, where she will oversee global strategic planning, customer service organization, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) integration. These responsibilities are vital to ensuring Entain continues to lead in the competitive sports betting and gaming sector.

Entain’s Vision for the Future

Gavin Isaacs, the Chief Executive Officer of Entain, expressed confidence in Guisard's ability to bring about transformative change at the company. In a statement, Isaacs noted, “Dafne brings a wealth of experience in driving strategic growth and delivering transformation on a global scale. Her appointment will help place Entain at the leading edge of innovation, as well as strengthen the executive management team as we build on a period of stronger-than-expected revenue growth and key market expansion. Dafne will be a tremendous asset to Entain.”

Guisard's appointment reflects Entain's ongoing commitment to innovation and operational excellence, as the company continues to scale its global operations. With her at the helm of operations, the company is poised to capitalize on the opportunities within the fast-growing online betting and gaming industry.

A Proven Track Record in the Corporate World

Before her tenure at Kraft Heinz, Guisard had an impressive nine-year career at Anheuser-Busch InBev, one of the world’s largest brewing companies. During her time there, she held various leadership positions where she was responsible for driving long-term company goals, creating a focused portfolio strategy, elevating brand-building efforts, and implementing an ambitious innovation agenda. Under her leadership, Anheuser-Busch InBev achieved significant milestones, including gaining the highest innovation share in the industry.

Guisard’s career also includes a background in management consulting and equities, as well as co-founding a machine learning technology start-up. Her diverse professional experience across multiple industries equips her with the skills necessary to lead Entain into its next phase of growth.

Her work in the technology sector has also earned her significant recognition. At Kraft Heinz, Guisard led several initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI), which led to her being named one of AdAge’s top 13 AI Marketing Leaders to Watch. Additionally, the agile innovation driven under her leadership was recognized as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023, showcasing her ability to lead cutting-edge technological advancements.

A Strong Advocate for Technology and Innovation

Guisard’s career has been deeply intertwined with her passion for the transformative power of technology. As a leader in the digital space, she has consistently championed the integration of technology into business operations to drive efficiency, enhance customer experience, and unlock new business opportunities. Her expertise in AI, digital transformation, and machine learning will be crucial in helping Entain maintain its competitive edge in the evolving online gaming and sports betting markets.

As Entain continues to expand its global footprint, Guisard’s expertise will play a key role in ensuring the company adapts to the rapidly changing technological landscape. Her innovative approach to business transformation will help Entain stay ahead of the curve, enabling the company to deliver cutting-edge products and services to its customers worldwide.

Educational Background and Personal Achievements

Guisard’s impressive career is backed by a strong academic foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA), one of Brazil’s most prestigious institutions. She also earned an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, one of the world’s top business schools. This combination of technical expertise and business acumen has equipped Guisard with a unique perspective on how to leverage technology and strategic planning to drive business success.

Her contributions to the business world extend beyond her corporate roles. Guisard is an active advocate for women in technology and leadership positions, and she has been involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Her commitment to social impact and innovation makes her a role model for aspiring leaders in the tech and business worlds.

What Dafne Guisard's Appointment Means for Entain

Guisard’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Entain. The company has been experiencing a period of stronger-than-expected revenue growth and expanding its market share in key global regions. With her extensive background in strategic leadership, digital transformation, and M&A, Guisard will be instrumental in driving operational excellence and innovation at Entain.

Her leadership will be crucial as the company continues to explore new growth opportunities, refine its operational processes, and ensure that its customer service operations remain best-in-class. As COO, Guisard will play a key role in shaping the company’s future strategy, helping Entain solidify its position as a global leader in the gaming and sports betting industries.

Conclusion

Dafne Guisard’s appointment as Chief Operations Officer at Entain marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards continued growth and innovation. With her impressive track record in driving strategic growth, digital transformation, and operational excellence, Guisard is well-positioned to lead Entain through its next phase of success. As the company continues to expand its global footprint and enhance its offerings in the online sports betting and gaming sectors, Guisard’s expertise will be crucial in ensuring Entain stays at the forefront of innovation and operational excellence.

FAQs

What is Dafne Guisard's new role at Entain?
Dafne Guisard has been appointed as the Chief Operations Officer at Entain, starting from January 13, 2025. She will oversee global strategic planning, customer service, and M&A integration.

What is Dafne Guisard's experience prior to joining Entain?
Before joining Entain, Guisard was the Chief Strategy, Transformation, and Digital Officer at The Kraft Heinz Company, where she led global growth strategies and digital transformation.

What will Dafne Guisard's responsibilities be at Entain?
Guisard will be responsible for driving operational excellence at Entain, leading strategic planning, overseeing customer service operations, and integrating mergers and acquisitions.

Why was Dafne Guisard chosen for the role at Entain?
Dafne Guisard was chosen for her extensive experience in driving strategic growth, leading digital transformation, and her success in executing ambitious innovation agendas.

What companies did Dafne Guisard work for before joining Entain?
Guisard previously worked at Kraft Heinz and Anheuser-Busch InBev, where she held various leadership roles driving strategy, innovation, and business transformation.

What is Dafne Guisard's educational background?
Dafne holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

What recognition has Dafne Guisard received for her work in technology?
Guisard was named one of AdAge’s top 13 AI Marketing Leaders to Watch and was recognized for her innovation efforts as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023.

How will Dafne Guisard contribute to Entain’s future success?
Guisard will drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and lead strategic growth initiatives to ensure Entain remains competitive in the global sports betting and gaming markets.

What role will technology play in Dafne Guisard's work at Entain?
Guisard is passionate about technology and will leverage her expertise in AI and digital transformation to drive operational improvements and enhance customer experiences at Entain.

How does Dafne Guisard's appointment align with Entain's growth strategy?
Her appointment aligns with Entain's focus on expanding its global market presence, driving innovation, and maintaining operational excellence in the competitive gaming and sports betting sectors.