Ian Brown ran Flutter Entertainment’s UK & Ireland business from September 2022 to January 2025. During that stretch, he oversaw four well-known betting brands: Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet, and Tombola. Flutter is the parent company of FanDuel, the top sportsbook and casino operator in the United States, so Brown’s work sat inside the same corporate family that runs America’s biggest betting app.
Brown left Flutter as part of a company restructuring, and in 2026 he landed a new top job: CEO of Trainline, the UK’s largest independent rail ticketing platform.
Quick Facts: Ian Brown
| Full name | Ian Brown |
| Former role | CEO, Flutter Entertainment UK & Ireland |
| Time in role | September 2022 – January 2025 |
| Brands overseen | Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet, Tombola |
| Predecessor | Conor Grant |
| Successor | Kevin Harrington |
| Education | University of Oxford, M.Eng. Engineering, Economics & Management (1993–1997) |
| Current role (2026) | CEO, Trainline plc (starts September 28, 2026) |
| Prior roles | CEO, ANS Group; CEO, Trips Business Unit at Booking.com; Senior Partner, Oliver Wyman |
Career Timeline
| Years | Company | Role |
| 1998–2014 | Oliver Wyman | Senior Partner; founded three consulting practices |
| 2014–2018 | Rentalcars.com | Chief Executive Officer |
| 2018–2019 | Booking.com (BookingGo) | SVP / CEO, Trips Business Unit |
| 2020–2022 | ANS Group | Chief Executive Officer |
| 2022–2025 | Flutter Entertainment | CEO, UK & Ireland |
| 2026–present | Trainline plc | Chief Executive Officer |
Ian Brown’s Path to Flutter
Brown built his career in consulting before moving into consumer tech leadership. He spent 16 years at Oliver Wyman, where he started and led three global practices covering travel, wholesale distribution, and pricing and marketing. He also helped launch the firm’s digital practice.
In 2014, Brown became CEO of Rentalcars.com, where he spent over five years reshaping the business and its culture. He then moved to Booking.com’s sister brand, running its Trips division before taking the CEO seat at ANS Group, a UK technology and managed services company, in 2020.
Flutter recruited Brown in September 2022 to replace Conor Grant as head of its UK & Ireland business. He inherited a division worth billions in revenue and responsibility for some of Britain’s most recognised gambling brands.
What Ian Brown Achieved at Flutter
Brown’s UK & Ireland unit posted double-digit revenue growth for most of his tenure. Full-year 2023 revenue rose 14.4% to $3 billion, and growth accelerated through 2024, with quarterly increases of 18% to 20% year-over-year, according to Flutter’s own quarterly and annual financial reports. Two other moments stand out from his record:
- Sky Bet’s EFL deal. In June 2023, Brown’s division locked in a five-year extension between Sky Bet and the English Football League, one of the sport’s most visible sponsorship partnerships.
- Industry recognition. At the Global Gaming Awards London 2023, Paddy Power won Retail Operator of the Year while Brown led the UK & Ireland business.
Brown stepped down in January 2025 when Flutter folded UK & Ireland into its larger international division as part of a group-wide restructuring. Kevin Harrington, previously CEO of PokerStars, took over the role.
Ian Brown vs. Other Flutter Regional Leaders
| Executive | Flutter Role | Region | Status (2026) |
| Ian Brown | CEO, UK & Ireland | UK & Ireland | Departed Jan 2025; now CEO of Trainline |
| Kevin Harrington | CEO, UK & Ireland | UK & Ireland | Current |
| Dan Taylor | Group CEO | Global | Incoming, Oct 2026 |
Why US Bettors Should Know the Name
Flutter’s UK & Ireland business doesn’t directly touch American players, but it sits under the same corporate umbrella as FanDuel. Executive moves at this level shape how Flutter allocates capital, leadership talent, and strategic focus across its global brands, including the ones US bettors use every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ian Brown?
Ian Brown is a British business executive who served as CEO of Flutter Entertainment’s UK & Ireland division from 2022 to 2025. He now leads Trainline, the UK rail ticketing company.
What brands did Ian Brown oversee at Flutter?
Brown was responsible for Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet, and Tombola in the UK and Ireland.
Why did Ian Brown leave Flutter?
Flutter restructured its business in late 2024, folding the UK & Ireland division into its larger international arm. Kevin Harrington succeeded Brown as CEO in January 2025.
What is Ian Brown doing now?
Brown joined Trainline as Chief Executive Officer, taking the role on September 28, 2026, after a transition period that began September 7.
Did Ian Brown work in gambling before Flutter?
No. Before joining Flutter in 2022, Brown’s background was in consulting (Oliver Wyman), online travel (Rentalcars.com, Booking.com), and technology services (ANS Group).