The iGaming Leader

Episode Summary

In this episode, host Leo Judkins interviews Petra Zackrisson about her fascinating journey from management consulting to diplomat to iGaming executive. Petra shares her experiences as a female leader in a male-dominated industry and offers practical advice on driving diversity, building trust with teams, and balancing short-term goals with long-term vision.

Guest Bio

Petra Zackrisson is a passionate, driven leader with extensive experience in online gaming, international business development, and strategy. She started her career at McKinsey before becoming one of the youngest trade commissioners as a diplomat. In 2013, Petra transitioned into iGaming, working in executive roles at Betsson and Kaizen Gaming. She served as SVP of Growth at Better Collective and board member at Casumo. Petra is an advocate for diversity and incremental change towards building more diversified, healthy businesses.

Key Topics

• 2:15 - Petra's unconventional career path from McKinsey to diplomat to iGaming
• 7:30 - Challenges and learnings from working across different countries and cultures
• 12:02 - Driving innovation by hiring outside talent and enabling "cross-pollination"
• 16:11 - Practical steps leaders can take to improve gender diversity in their organizations
• 24:18 - Navigating the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated industry
• 30:02 - How to create a culture of trust, psychological safety and high performance
• 36:10 - Balancing short-term goals and long-term vision in iGaming
• 39:25 - Petra's mentors and the leadership traits she admires and mirrors
• 42:37 - Advice for young professionals: Be kind to yourself and interview your future manager

Memorable Quotes

"I want to hang in there because I think it's very important for other young women to see that it's possible. It's possible to go all the way to the top and it's possible to do that with family and with children too."

"Diversified teams are financially sound. If you are a consumer service company, it's important that your teams reflect your target audience. Today, most companies ignore 50% of the population because they are very male-oriented."

"Trust is key. It's important to tell people what they are good at, what their strengths are. I'm asking my team for help and that showcases that they can actually tell me things and give me feedback."

Important Links:

• Connect with Petra Zackrisson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-zackrisson-b75a892/
• Connect with 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://igamingleader.com/

"We're all figuring out stuff as we go. There is no real jump between here and here. It's just that someone maybe got there a little bit before and thinks in a slightly different way." - Rob Fell

Episode Summary

In this candid conversation, Rob Fell, former COO of NetEnt and White Hat Gaming, shares his journey from British Army officer to iGaming executive. Drawing on his extensive experience across major operators like Paddy Power, GVC (now Entain), and NetEnt, Rob discusses the challenges of leadership, the importance of authenticity, and how to navigate difficult decisions. He offers valuable insights on building autonomous teams, dealing with imposter syndrome, and maintaining personal wellbeing while leading through challenging times.

Guest Bio

Rob Fell is a highly accomplished iGaming executive with extensive experience in C-Level, Director & VP roles across Product & Operations in FTSE 100, FTSE 250, and NASDAQ Stockholm listed companies. His career spans from British Army officer to leadership positions at major gaming companies including NetEnt, White Hat Gaming, GVC Group, and Paddy Power. Rob is known for his expertise in post-M&A operational transformation and building high-performing product teams.

Key Topics Discussed

• 00:00:00 - Introduction and early career misconceptions
• 00:01:34 - Dealing with imposter syndrome in leadership
• 00:03:13 - Career progression and key attributes for success
• 00:06:48 - Surprising leadership lessons and the importance of patience
• 00:11:42 - Qualities valued in leadership and team development
• 00:17:48 - Navigating difficult decisions and redundancies
• 00:25:32 - Personal growth and maintaining work-life balance
• 00:32:19 - Leadership philosophy and mission command approach
• 00:40:01 - Advice to younger self: embracing the learning curve

Key Takeaways

• Leadership success comes from continuous learning and authenticity rather than trying to be a "perfect" leader
• Building autonomous teams requires trust and allowing people to make decisions
• Personal wellbeing and mental clarity are crucial for effective leadership
• Early and transparent communication is essential during challenging times
• Mission command principles can create more effective and autonomous teams

Important Links:

• Connect with Rob Fell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robfell/
• Connect with 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://igamingleader.com/

The iGaming Leader Podcast with Leo Judkins uncovers the human side of the iGaming industry's most successful leaders. Join us as we explore the untold stories, challenges, and triumphs of the executives shaping one of the world's most dynamic sectors.

Each week, we dive deep into conversations with C-suite leaders, founders, and directors from global betting firms and innovative startups. Our guests share their authentic journey to the top, revealing pivotal career moments, leadership philosophies, and personal strategies for sustainable success in this high-pressure industry.

More than just another business podcast, we focus on the crucial intersection of wellbeing and high performance. Discover how industry leaders maintain peak performance while managing stress, work-life integration, and team dynamics in an industry that never sleeps.

Whether you're an aspiring leader, current executive, or passionate about the iGaming sector, each 30-minute episode delivers actionable insights to help you thrive in this fast-paced environment.

Subscribe now to join a community of high-achieving iGaming professionals committed to making this industry not just successful, but sustainable for its leaders.