Kambi appoints Michelle Unsworth as chief people officer

Kambi, the internationally recognized provider of premium sports betting solutions, has announced the appointment of Michelle Unsworth as its new Chief People Officer (CPO). In this capacity, Unsworth will lead all aspects of Kambi’s global people strategy, encompassing talent acquisition, leadership development, and the overall employee experience across its international operations.

The appointment reflects Kambi’s ongoing commitment to fostering a people-centric corporate culture while supporting its long-term business growth objectives. By placing Unsworth at the helm of its human resources and organizational strategy, Kambi reinforces the role of people as a strategic driver for innovation, performance, and sustainable expansion in the competitive sports betting technology sector.

Extensive Experience Across Global Organizations

Based in London, Michelle Unsworth brings over 20 years of professional experience in people management, organizational development, and transformational leadership. She has held senior positions in multiple industries, including technology, travel, and entertainment, consistently building high-performance cultures that prioritize employee engagement and development.

Most recently, Unsworth held the position of Vice President of People at Veriff, a company specializing in online identity verification. During her tenure, she implemented the company’s first company-wide people strategy, creating a cohesive approach to talent management and employee engagement that supported Veriff’s rapid growth. Her work helped establish a scalable people framework capable of adapting to the evolving needs of the business while nurturing a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Prior to her role at Veriff, Unsworth accumulated extensive experience with major international brands. She has held senior human resources and leadership roles at Travelport, Expedia Group, and The Walt Disney Company, each position contributing to her expertise in managing complex, multi-national teams and aligning human capital strategies with organizational objectives.

Strengthening Executive Leadership and Diversity

Unsworth’s appointment bolsters Kambi’s executive leadership team while promoting greater diversity among the company’s top management. By increasing female representation in the executive ranks, Kambi demonstrates a tangible commitment to inclusivity and broadening perspectives in its decision-making processes.

Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, emphasized the importance of this appointment, noting:
“Welcoming Michelle as our Chief People Officer reinforces our commitment to making people and culture a true strategic priority for Kambi. Michelle’s leadership and expertise will be instrumental in fostering an environment where our teams can thrive, innovate and grow together. As we continue to establish ourselves as the home of premium sports betting solutions, Michelle will play a central role in aligning our people strategy with our long-term business objectives, ensuring that our culture not only supports but accelerates our long-term growth ambitions.”

Becher’s remarks emphasize the company’s philosophy that human capital is a core component of business success. In a rapidly evolving industry where technology, market demands, and regulatory frameworks shift constantly, aligning organizational culture with strategic objectives is increasingly essential for maintaining competitive advantage.

Michelle Unsworth’s Vision and Objectives

Michelle Unsworth, now Chief People Officer at Kambi, expressed her enthusiasm for joining the company and outlined her approach to the role:
“I’m thrilled to be joining Kambi, which has firmly established itself as a world leader in B2B sports betting provision. The opportunity to work with such talented individuals and to build upon the company’s strong, people-focused culture is incredibly exciting. I look forward to helping empower this team to achieve even greater success.”

Unsworth’s statement underscores her commitment to cultivating an organizational culture that balances performance with employee satisfaction. Her approach integrates best practices in talent management, professional development, and leadership coaching to drive both individual and organizational growth.

By focusing on the holistic development of Kambi’s workforce, Unsworth aims to foster an environment where creativity, collaboration, and innovation are central to operational success. This approach is closely aligned with Kambi’s wider corporate goals, including growing its presence in the international sports betting sector, advancing its technological offerings, and sustaining a strong reputation for excellence with clients and partners.

Key Responsibilities as Chief People Officer

In her new role, Unsworth is responsible for a wide range of strategic and operational human resources functions. Key responsibilities include:

• Talent acquisition and retention: Developing strategies to attract top-tier talent worldwide, particularly in the competitive technology and betting industries, and retaining high-performing employees.
• Leadership development: Implementing programs that identify, cultivate, and advance high-potential leaders within the organization.
• Employee experience: Enhancing the overall employee experience by promoting engagement, satisfaction, and alignment with company values.
• Organizational culture: Ensuring that Kambi’s culture continues to evolve to meet the challenges of growth, innovation, and international expansion.
• Diversity and inclusion: Strengthening initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of the organization.

Through these responsibilities, Unsworth is expected to shape Kambi’s workforce into a resilient, agile, and innovative team capable of meeting the demands of an increasingly competitive global market.

Industry Context and Kambi’s Strategic Priorities

Kambi operates in the B2B sports betting sector, providing operators with premium technology and data solutions. The industry is highly competitive and regulated, requiring companies to not only offer cutting-edge technology but also maintain robust operational and cultural foundations.

In this context, a strong people strategy is critical for sustaining long-term success. Companies that prioritize employee development, engagement, and leadership effectiveness tend to demonstrate higher innovation, reduced turnover, and stronger alignment with business goals.

Kambi’s decision to appoint a seasoned human resources executive like Unsworth signals its recognition of these factors. By integrating people strategy into overall business strategy, the company aims to maintain its leadership position while supporting sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Leadership in a Changing Global Landscape

The sports betting and gaming industry is experiencing rapid technological evolution, including increased adoption of artificial intelligence, enhanced data analytics, and the expansion of online platforms. Navigating these changes requires not only technological agility but also a workforce that is adaptable, skilled, and motivated.

Unsworth’s leadership experience positions her well to address these challenges. By fostering a culture that values continuous learning and professional growth, she can help Kambi build a workforce capable of leveraging emerging technologies, anticipating market trends, and delivering innovative solutions to clients.

Moreover, her background in global organizations equips her to manage diverse teams across multiple regions, ensuring that Kambi’s people strategy is effective across different cultural, regulatory, and operational contexts.

Commitment to Employee Well-being and Engagement

Central to Unsworth’s vision is the well-being and engagement of Kambi’s employees. In today’s business environment, companies that actively support the mental, physical, and professional well-being of their workforce tend to achieve better overall performance.

By implementing programs that address career development, work-life balance, and employee recognition, Unsworth plans to enhance Kambi’s employer brand and ensure that the company remains an attractive destination for top talent worldwide. These initiatives are expected to drive both employee satisfaction and operational efficiency, contributing directly to Kambi’s business objectives.

Conclusion

The appointment of Michelle Unsworth as Chief People Officer represents a significant step forward for Kambi in aligning its people strategy with its long-term business goals. Her extensive experience, industry knowledge, and commitment to fostering a high-performance, people-first culture will be instrumental in driving both employee engagement and organizational success.

As Kambi continues to solidify its position as a leading provider of premium sports betting solutions, the integration of strong human capital strategies will ensure that the company is well-equipped to navigate a dynamic global market, attract and retain top talent, and maintain its reputation for excellence.

FAQs

What is Michelle Unsworth’s new role at Kambi?
Michelle Unsworth has been appointed Chief People Officer at Kambi, responsible for the company’s global people strategy.

Where is Michelle Unsworth based?
She is based in London and will oversee Kambi’s international human resources functions.

What experience does Michelle Unsworth bring to Kambi?
She has over 20 years of experience in people management, leadership development, and organizational transformation across global companies.

Which companies has Michelle Unsworth worked for before Kambi?
She has held senior HR roles at Veriff, Travelport, Expedia Group, and The Walt Disney Company.

What are her key responsibilities at Kambi?
Her responsibilities include talent acquisition, leadership development, employee experience, organizational culture, and diversity initiatives.

How does this appointment impact Kambi’s executive team?
It strengthens the executive leadership team and enhances female representation at the senior level.

Why is a strong people strategy important for Kambi?
A strong people strategy supports employee engagement, innovation, and aligns human capital with business objectives, driving long-term growth.

What does Werner Becher say about Unsworth’s appointment?
He stated that her leadership will foster an environment where teams can thrive, innovate, and grow, supporting Kambi’s long-term growth ambitions.

How will Michelle Unsworth influence Kambi’s culture?
She will help develop a people-first culture that prioritizes engagement, innovation, and professional development across the organization.

What is Kambi’s focus in the sports betting industry?
Kambi focuses on providing premium B2B sports betting solutions with an emphasis on technology, data analytics, and high-quality client services.