Tenure
Appointed to the Board as Chief Financial Officer in March 2019; the role of Deputy CEO was added to his portfolio in January 2021.

Biography

Rob Wood’s journey as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Entain is one of steady progression, sharp financial acumen and a strong commitment to sustainable business growth. Born British and educated at the University of Nottingham with a degree in Mathematics and Management Studies, he laid the groundwork for his career by qualifying as a chartered accountant at KPMG. These early years established his analytical mindset and precision in handling numbers, values which have clearly shaped his later leadership style.

Before joining Entain, Wood honed his skills in restructuring advisory at Rothschild, gaining exposure to complex financial situations, and then moved into private equity as Senior Vice President at Cerberus Capital, where he oversaw European portfolio companies. These roles demanded not just technical financial knowledge but also resilience, strategic thinking and the ability to lead under pressure—traits that later enabled him to manage risk and guide large scale transactions.

Rob first joined Entain (then GVC) in 2012 and over the years took on increasing responsibility. He spent significant time in senior finance roles, including as CFO of the group’s UK retail business—one of the largest and most complex divisions in the Group. In March 2019 he was appointed CFO of the whole Group, a recognition of his deep knowledge of the business and ability to deliver financially under challenging environments. In January 2021 his portfolio expanded further when he was also appointed Deputy CEO, entrusting him with oversight of broader operational and strategic matters including mergers and acquisitions and retail operations.

Wood is known not just for his ability to manage balance sheets and financial reporting, but also for shaping Entain’s strategy in regulated markets, its digital growth, and for placing a strong emphasis on responsibility, sustainability, and customer protection. Under his financial stewardship, the company has returned to organic revenue and EBITDA growth, strengthened margins, and pursued expansion into key markets, while placing ESG principles at the core of its operation.

Rob’s story is inspiring because it shows what can be achieved by combining technical expertise with integrity, a long-term vision, and the ability to adapt. From mathematics graduate, to chartered accountant, to a leader at a FTSE-100 company steering multi-billion-pound global operations, his trajectory encourages anyone aiming for leadership to seek excellence in craft, embrace continuous learning, and take on broader responsibilities when the opportunity arises.

Key strengths and experience
Rob’s financial expertise and deep knowledge of Entain’s business make him uniquely placed to manage his wide-ranging portfolio as Chief Financial Officer and Deputy CEO, providing insight to the Board on commercial, financial and operational issues.