William Hill CEO Steps Down Abruptly

James Henderson, CEO of William Hill, has resigned from his position with immediate effect, it was announced by the London based bookmaker today

Updated: 26 January 2024 By Becky Mosley

James Henderson, CEO of William Hill, has resigned from his position with immediate effect, it was announced by the London based bookmaker today.The role will be filled on an interim basis by William Hill’s chief financial officer, Phillip Bowcock.

Clear set of priorities

Talking of Bowcock’s appointment as temporary CEO in the wake of Henderson’s resignation, William Hill chairman Gareth Davis said:“[Bowcock] has a clear set of priorities as interim chief executive, principally the continued turnaround of the online business.”James Henderson will not be immediately leaving the company, with William Hill explaining in a statement that:“For transition purposes, James will remain an employee for four weeks from the start of the notice period.”The company has not yet announced a new chief financial officer to replace Mr Bowcock while he is taking on the CEO role.

James Henderson

James Henderson’s career at William Hill has spanned three decades, he worked as the company’s operations director before becoming CEO.Henderson’s departure comes at a time in which William hill is undergoing an entirely new set of struggles. Much of this is due to the increased competition the sports betting company is facing. james henderson william hill The iGaming market has been hit hard by increased taxes and stronger regulations, to counter-act this, many companies have merged, with Paddy Power Betfair coming together, Ladbrokes and Gala Coral recently announcing they will be joining forces to create a true giant within the industry, and GVC buying bwin.party.

William Hill’s rivals

This leaves William Hill standing somewhat alone as its main rivals team up to increase the level of competition that exists, as well as solve their own financial concerns.Despite taking an estimated £3 million in bets in the run-up to the EU referendum, William Hill announced a net loss of £400,000 after the UK decided to leave. 

Becky Mosley
Editor-in-Chief at Compare Casino Sites

Rebecca (Becky) Mosley has been at the heart of the UK online gambling industry since 2008 — making her one of the most experienced voices in casino comparison. She is editor-in-chief at Compare Casino Sites and personally oversees every casino review published here.

Becky brings a genuine player-first perspective to everything on CCS. Her approach has always been the same: transparency, fair bonus terms, and responsible gambling above all else. She insists on the same standards from every operator listed on the site — if a casino's terms can't stand up to plain-English scrutiny, it doesn't earn a recommendation.

Over 17 years in the industry, Becky has built deep expertise across UK Gambling Commission licensing, slot game mechanics, bonus structures, and the constantly evolving regulatory landscape. She works directly with operators and software providers to keep every listing accurate, and reviews each casino's wagering requirements, withdrawal limits, and customer support before a single rating goes live.

Becky is a Companies House registered director.