Camelot UK Lotteries has appointed Nigel Railton as permanent CEO, spearheading a drive to return the UK National Lottery to growth.

Challenges ahead for new Camelot CEO Railton

Camelot has reported total National Lottery ticket sales of £3.28bn for the first half of the 2017/18 financial year, a year-on-year drop of 3.2 per cent. During the period, the lottery returned £746.6m to good causes, 4.7 per cent lower than the corresponding period in 2016.

Jo Taylor, chairman of Camelot, said: “I am delighted to see Nigel appointed as the CEO of Camelot UK.

“He has a wealth of experience, a proven track record and is passionate about the role that The National Lottery plays in society,” said Taylor. “Under Nigel’s leadership, the new executive team at Camelot has recently concluded a thorough strategic review and designed a clear execution plan to put the business on a path to responsible and sustainable growth.”

Railton added: “It’s a privilege to have been given the opportunity to run Camelot’s UK business.

“Coming off the back of last year’s disappointing sales performance - and in the face of the very real threat posed by intensifying competition from the wider gambling sector, which benefits from significant taxation advantages, and continuing doubts over the economy – I don’t underestimate the challenge ahead of us. It is going to take some time to turn things around.”

Subject to regulatory approval, Camelot’s plan to return UK National Lottery to growth is based on four main principles: improving its range of games; investing to enhance its retail offering; upgrading its digital capabilities; and reinvigorating the National Lottery brand.