Board of Directors
Dr David Bate
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Over 25 years’ experience as investment banker, lawyer, entrepreneur, executive, educator, director or investor. Experience with gambling, sports, media and ICT sectors. Serial entrepreneur who founded companies in ICT, financial technology, investment banking, wine and real estate sectors. Past or present Chairman or director of various listed or unlisted companies. Previously CEO and Deputy Chairman of Brookwood Capital Corporation and former Head of Corporate Finance for ABN AMRO for Sub-Saharan Africa. Worked for RBC in Singapore and New York law firm in Tokyo. Member of Institute of Corporate Directors. Seven university qualifications including DPA, JD, three master’s degrees.
Mr Rael Ginsburg
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Over 25 years’ experience as software engineer, developer, gaming consultant, entrepreneur, investor. Previously consulted to Microgaming Poker Network with responsibility for developing and delivering casino and poker products, analyzing performance, managing systems and improving products, among other accountabilities. Track record as consultant to numerous other gambling companies such as The Stars Group and Eazibet. Developed P2P poker and fantasy football platforms, among other products. Co-founder of BetWize that offered online and mobile games, including casino games, poker, sports betting and scratch tickets, before sale to a subsidiary of William Hill Plc.
Mr Nicolas Cloete-Hopkins
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Over 23 years’ experience as systems engineer, project manager, systems thinking specialist. Senior Lecturer at Transnet Centre for Systems Engineering in Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of the Witwatersrand. Widely published academic author. Previously Divisional Director of Mott MacDonald in South Africa. Worked for Tube Lines and Booz Allen Hamilton in United Kingdom. Founder of and advisor to several start-up companies. PhD candidate at the University of the Witwatersrand. MSc in Systems Engineering Management from University College London and BCom from the University of Cape Town.
Mr Luca Schläpfer
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Over 10 years’ experience as executive, entrepreneur, investor in financial services, digital platforms, entertainment. Currently Head of Offer & Development Group, Life Business, for AXA Switzerland with responsibility for new product development. Previously Head of Product Management, Collective Foundation Business, for AXA Switzerland. Formerly Managing Director and partner in Rexas Treuhand GmbH, a fiduciary services company for high net worth individuals and family offices in Switzerland. Serial entrepreneur and investor, including companies in digital entertainment and fast-moving consumer goods. Master’s degree from Zurich University.
Management Team
Dr David Bate
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Over 25 years’ experience as investment banker, lawyer, entrepreneur, executive, educator, director or investor. Experience with gambling, sports, media and ICT sectors. Serial entrepreneur who founded companies in ICT, financial technology, investment banking, wine and real estate sectors. Past or present Chairman or director of various listed or unlisted companies. Previously CEO and Deputy Chairman of Brookwood Capital Corporation and former Head of Corporate Finance for ABN AMRO for Sub-Saharan Africa. Worked for RBC in Singapore and New York law firm in Tokyo. Member of Institute of Corporate Directors. Seven university qualifications including DPA, JD, three master’s degrees.
Mr Rael Ginsburg
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Over 25 years’ experience as software engineer, developer, gaming consultant, entrepreneur, investor. Previously consulted to Microgaming Poker Network with responsibility for developing and delivering casino and poker products, analyzing performance, managing systems and improving products, among other accountabilities. Track record as consultant to numerous other gambling companies such as The Stars Group and Eazibet. Developed P2P poker and fantasy football platforms, among other products. Co-founder of BetWize that offered online and mobile games, including casino games, poker, sports betting and scratch tickets, before sale to a subsidiary of William Hill Plc.
Mr Nicolas Cloete-Hopkins
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Over 23 years’ experience as systems engineer, project manager, systems thinking specialist. Senior Lecturer at Transnet Centre for Systems Engineering in Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of the Witwatersrand. Widely published academic author. Previously Divisional Director of Mott MacDonald in South Africa. Worked for Tube Lines and Booz Allen Hamilton in United Kingdom. Founder of and advisor to several start-up companies. PhD candidate at the University of the Witwatersrand. MSc in Systems Engineering Management from University College London and BCom from the University of Cape Town.
Mr Howard Bate
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
Over 35 years’ experience as executive, director, entrepreneur, business development specialist. Previously Global Strategic Development Director for Mott MacDonald with a focus on China. Prior roles with Mott MacDonald as Development Director (Europe, Russia and Africa), Regional Director (Africa), Managing Director (South Africa) and several other international positions. Experience in senior positions for Crow Maunsell Management Consultants in Hong Kong and Johnson Jackson Jeff in Spain. Serial entrepreneur who founded and managed several strategy and consulting businesses focused on start-up enterprises, business development and project management.
Mr Kyle Nazareth
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Over 12 years’ experience as Chief Financial Officer, director, finance manager, banker, auditor. Entrepreneur who was co-founder and principal of Jaeger Financial LLP and former Director of Jaeger Strategic Advisors. Currently Chief Financial Officer of Strange Love Café. Previously Finance Manager of Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. with various prior roles at CIBC and Deloitte Canada. CPA and CA. BBA in Accounting and Finance from Schulich School of Business at York University. Member of CPA Ontario.
Ms Tatiana Munro-Cameron
VICE PRESIDENT, ENGAGEMENT
Over 7 years’ experience as a corporate communications and business development consultant. Communications consultant to Abner Technology Group Limited, Brookwood Capital Corporation, United Nations of Wine and Leopard Frog Vineyards. Previously business development consultant and project director for various companies. Worked as executive assistant and communications consultant to international companies in Switzerland, South Africa and the United Kingdom. BA in international relations from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Mr Keenan Gentry
CAPITAL MARKETS ADVISOR
Over 12 years’ experience as capital markets professional, corporate development officer, analyst, investor relations professional. Entrepreneur who is founder and Managing Partner of Jaeger Strategic Advisors Limited. Serves as Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Development for Wesana Health. Partner in Genaflex Financial. Previously co-founder of Tycho Capital, co-head of corporate development for Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. and senior investment analyst for Curvature Hedge Strategies. Prior work experience at Sandhill Investment Management, Citibank, Macquarie Private Wealth. CFA with BSc in finance from Niagara University and BA from Niagara College.