David Newton spent 15 years climbing the ranks at Paddy Power, from a regional retail role to Chief Commercial Officer. Flutter Entertainment confirmed in January 2026 that Newton would leave the company as part of a leadership shake-up in its UK and Ireland division. He is now the former Chief Commercial Officer of Paddy Power and Flutter’s UK and Ireland business. Ben Reilly, formerly of tombola, took over as the division’s sole CCO.
Who Is David Newton?
David Newton is a former Paddy Power and Flutter UKI Chief Commercial Officer best known for running Paddy Power’s retail operations under Flutter Entertainment. He joined Paddy Power in December 2011 as Operations Director and moved through several senior retail roles before becoming Chief Commercial Officer in 2022.
Before Paddy Power, Newton worked in regional management at Ladbrokes, now part of Entain. His career sits mostly on the retail side of the sports betting industry, which sets him apart from many executives who came up through digital product teams instead.
Newton studied at Bournemouth University from 2000 to 2004. He then worked briefly as a self-employed web designer before moving into retail management at Woolworths in 2004.
David Newton’s Career at Paddy Power
Newton spent almost a decade in retail leadership roles at Paddy Power before adding the Chief Commercial Officer title. The table below lays out his full career path.
| Year | Role |
| 2004 – 2008 | Area Manager, Woolworths |
| 2008 – 2011 | Regional Manager, Ladbrokes |
| 2011 | Head of Gaming Operations, Ladbrokes |
| Dec 2011 | Operations Director, Paddy Power |
| 2015 – 2017 | UK Retail Director, Paddy Power |
| 2017 – 2020 | Managing Director, Retail, Paddy Power |
| 2020 – 2022 | CEO, Retail, Paddy Power (post-Flutter rebrand) |
| 2022 – 2026 | Chief Commercial Officer, Paddy Power / Flutter UKI |
He picked up the CCO title in 2022, succeeding Victor Corcoran as the executive in charge of Paddy Power’s commercial performance.
Why David Newton Left Flutter in 2026
In January 2026, Flutter Entertainment restructured the commercial leadership of its UK and Ireland division. The company merged two CCO roles into one, which meant both Newton and Sky Bet CCO Steve Birch left their posts. Ben Reilly, previously managing director at tombola, took over as the division’s single CCO.
Flutter framed the change as a simplification of its leadership structure, not a response to performance, and executives publicly thanked David Newton and Birch for their years of service. The reshuffle also created a new Chief Operating Officer role, filled by Dom Crosthwaite, who had led sportsbook product and trading for Flutter Group.
David Newton’s Retail Strategy and Key Achievements
David Newton spent much of his career arguing that physical betting shops still earn their place, even as Flutter pushed harder into digital brands. He led Paddy Power’s retail division through the COVID-19 pandemic, when government rules forced shops to close for months at a stretch, and helped guide UK retail revenue back to roughly 7% growth once shops reopened.
He also expanded technology partnerships with suppliers such as Inspired Entertainment and Playtech, bringing Bet Builder and upgraded self-service terminals into shops. Paddy Power won Betting Shop Operator of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards in 2021 and Retail Operator of the Year in 2023 during his tenure, and David Newton was shortlisted for Executive of the Year in 2022.
Retail Betting Shops vs Online Sportsbooks: David Newton’s Approach
Newton’s career highlights a split that still shapes the gambling industry today: whether physical shops or mobile apps should lead a sportsbook’s growth. The table below compares the two models he balanced throughout his time at Paddy Power.
| Feature | Retail Betting Shops | Online Sportsbooks |
| Customer experience | Staff-assisted, in person | Self-service, app-based |
| Newton’s role | Direct oversight as MD and CCO | Shared with digital product teams |
| Growth driver | Local presence and foot traffic | National and international reach |
| Regulation | UK Gambling Commission, shop licensing | State-by-state in the US market |
US operators like FanDuel, which Flutter also owns, have leaned almost entirely on the online model. Newton’s retail-first stance offers a useful contrast for anyone studying how Flutter’s other brands have approached growth differently across markets.
The Bottom Line On David Newton
Newton spent nearly a decade and a half proving that betting shops still matter, even inside a company that leans harder into digital brands every year. His exit in January 2026 closed that chapter, but the retail strategy he built stays part of Paddy Power’s playbook under Ben Reilly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Newton?
David Newton is a UK gambling executive and former Paddy Power Chief Commercial Officer who spent 15 years at Paddy Power, rising from Operations Director to Chief Commercial Officer. He left the company in January 2026 as part of a leadership restructuring at Flutter Entertainment.
What company did David Newton work for?
Newton worked at Paddy Power, which is owned by Flutter Entertainment. Before that, he spent several years at Ladbrokes and Woolworths in the UK.
Why did David Newton leave Paddy Power?
Flutter merged the CCO roles for Paddy Power and Sky Bet into one position in January 2026, so Newton and Sky Bet’s Steve Birch both departed and Ben Reilly took over as the sole CCO.
What awards did David Newton win at Paddy Power?
Under Newton’s leadership, Paddy Power won Betting Shop Operator of the Year in 2021 and Retail Operator of the Year in 2023 at the Global Gaming Awards. Newton himself was shortlisted for Executive of the Year in 2022.
Who replaced David Newton as CCO?
Ben Reilly, previously managing director at tombola, became the sole Chief Commercial Officer for Flutter’s UK and Ireland division, taking over responsibilities that had been split between Newton and Steve Birch.