Simon Wykes
Owner at YX Leisure & Gaming- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Andrew Graham Knight
Simon was MD and the CEO during my time with Gala Bingo. During his time at Gala Simon brought great leadership though his ability to listen to opinions from across the organisation, use that information to formulate a strategy and then have the confidence to commit to delivering the resultant plan. Bingo is awash with opinions and data but Simon has the ability to listen to it all, tune out what's irrelevant or unhelpful and focus on what will deliver results. By bringing together all of the stakeholders and giving them a voice he was able to develop a retail strategy that delivered a fantastic product for customers as well as great results for the business.
Ross Taylor
I have now been in Management for over 14 years and in that time I have had 30 or more Supervisors. Simon stands out in my mind as one of the best. I cannot imagine the man raising his voice or going in a strop. He just let you know what was expected of you and gave you a pat on the back when the job was done. Classic minimalist management. Simon should write a book on his style.
Andrew Graham Knight
Simon was MD and the CEO during my time with Gala Bingo. During his time at Gala Simon brought great leadership though his ability to listen to opinions from across the organisation, use that information to formulate a strategy and then have the confidence to commit to delivering the resultant plan. Bingo is awash with opinions and data but Simon has the ability to listen to it all, tune out what's irrelevant or unhelpful and focus on what will deliver results. By bringing together all of the stakeholders and giving them a voice he was able to develop a retail strategy that delivered a fantastic product for customers as well as great results for the business.
Ross Taylor
I have now been in Management for over 14 years and in that time I have had 30 or more Supervisors. Simon stands out in my mind as one of the best. I cannot imagine the man raising his voice or going in a strop. He just let you know what was expected of you and gave you a pat on the back when the job was done. Classic minimalist management. Simon should write a book on his style.
Andrew Graham Knight
Simon was MD and the CEO during my time with Gala Bingo. During his time at Gala Simon brought great leadership though his ability to listen to opinions from across the organisation, use that information to formulate a strategy and then have the confidence to commit to delivering the resultant plan. Bingo is awash with opinions and data but Simon has the ability to listen to it all, tune out what's irrelevant or unhelpful and focus on what will deliver results. By bringing together all of the stakeholders and giving them a voice he was able to develop a retail strategy that delivered a fantastic product for customers as well as great results for the business.
Ross Taylor
I have now been in Management for over 14 years and in that time I have had 30 or more Supervisors. Simon stands out in my mind as one of the best. I cannot imagine the man raising his voice or going in a strop. He just let you know what was expected of you and gave you a pat on the back when the job was done. Classic minimalist management. Simon should write a book on his style.
Andrew Graham Knight
Simon was MD and the CEO during my time with Gala Bingo. During his time at Gala Simon brought great leadership though his ability to listen to opinions from across the organisation, use that information to formulate a strategy and then have the confidence to commit to delivering the resultant plan. Bingo is awash with opinions and data but Simon has the ability to listen to it all, tune out what's irrelevant or unhelpful and focus on what will deliver results. By bringing together all of the stakeholders and giving them a voice he was able to develop a retail strategy that delivered a fantastic product for customers as well as great results for the business.
Ross Taylor
I have now been in Management for over 14 years and in that time I have had 30 or more Supervisors. Simon stands out in my mind as one of the best. I cannot imagine the man raising his voice or going in a strop. He just let you know what was expected of you and gave you a pat on the back when the job was done. Classic minimalist management. Simon should write a book on his style.
Experience
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YX Leisure & Gaming
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United Kingdom
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Business Consulting and Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Owner
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Dec 2016 - Present
Providing consultancy services to the leisure and gaming industry. Reviewed hard and soft facilities management and shop servicing for Ladbrokes Coral identifying nearly £20m of potential savings. Providing consultancy services to the leisure and gaming industry. Reviewed hard and soft facilities management and shop servicing for Ladbrokes Coral identifying nearly £20m of potential savings.
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Wexel Gaming
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United Kingdom
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Non Executive Director
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May 2017 - Present
Board Director of an entrepreneur owned private company providing digital hardware and software to the leisure industry. Engaged to provide strategic support, governance and coaching to the Board. Repositioned the business from a maintenance and service provider to a provider of digital gaming solutions to the leisure industry. Since the organisational transformation, Wexel has moved from break-even to delivering triple digit profit growth. Board Director of an entrepreneur owned private company providing digital hardware and software to the leisure industry. Engaged to provide strategic support, governance and coaching to the Board. Repositioned the business from a maintenance and service provider to a provider of digital gaming solutions to the leisure industry. Since the organisational transformation, Wexel has moved from break-even to delivering triple digit profit growth.
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LEISURE ELECTRONICS LIMITED
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United Kingdom
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Non Executive Director
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Apr 2017 - Present
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LOL Bingo & Slots
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United Kingdom
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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Director
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Apr 2021 - Apr 2023
LOL Lounge Bingo shouts out playing, winning and laughing (out loud) ..... LOL Lounge Bingo is at the heart of the the community and is smaller, cosier and friendlier than a sprawling bingo club. From opening to closing, there will be a constant flow of games throughout the day with no waiting around for a session to start! You choose when and how much you want to play, from a quick pop in whilst you're out shopping to a longer stay. Lots of winning, lots of laughs and lots of games to play. Don't miss out on our first bingo lounge now open in Harpurhey, Manchester Show less
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Gamesys
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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400 - 500 Employee
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Transition Director
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Oct 2019 - Oct 2020
Transition and plc Board Director of Gamesys, a FTSE250 organisation post the successful acquisition of Gamesys by JPJ in 2019. Transition and plc Board Director of Gamesys, a FTSE250 organisation post the successful acquisition of Gamesys by JPJ in 2019.
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Jackpotjoy Group
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United Kingdom
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Chief Executive Officer
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Oct 2017 - Oct 2019
CEO and plc Board Director of JPJ, one of the world’s largest online gaming businesses. • Double digit revenue, profit and customer growth; exceeding consensus every Quarter. • Completed acquisition of Gamesys and disposed of two non-core businesses. • Achieved premium listing, refinanced debt and deleveraged Group. • Reduced organisational risk through increased operational control, geographical diversification and focus on proprietary technology CEO and plc Board Director of JPJ, one of the world’s largest online gaming businesses. • Double digit revenue, profit and customer growth; exceeding consensus every Quarter. • Completed acquisition of Gamesys and disposed of two non-core businesses. • Achieved premium listing, refinanced debt and deleveraged Group. • Reduced organisational risk through increased operational control, geographical diversification and focus on proprietary technology
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GALA LEISURE UK LIMITED
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United Kingdom
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Leisure, Travel & Tourism
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Chief Executive Officer
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Dec 2015 - Nov 2016
Established Gala Leisure as a standalone business following on from leading the "Management Buy Out". Built the 100 Day Planning Process and the Omni-Channel Strategy and Business Plan. Established Gala Leisure as a standalone business following on from leading the "Management Buy Out". Built the 100 Day Planning Process and the Omni-Channel Strategy and Business Plan.
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Bingo Association
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Dunstable, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
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Non Executive Director
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Jan 2014 - Nov 2016
Non Executive Director of the Bingo Association including a short spell as Chairman Non Executive Director of the Bingo Association including a short spell as Chairman
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Coral
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United Kingdom
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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700 & Above Employee
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Managing Director
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May 2010 - Dec 2015
Turned around the bingo division which had previously seen four consecutive years of earnings decline. This was achieved by the development and delivery of a strategic plan based on focused management in product innovation, service and standards. Earnings more than doubled, the Net Promoter Score trebled and the business was awared Investors in People Gold as well as winning a number of change management awards. The division was turned into a stand-alone business leading to a lucrative exit for the shareholders. Highlights included tripling net promoter scores, digitalising the product offer, designing new concepts, transforming food and beverage and building an executive team. Show less
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Norden Chimney Leisure
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Rochdale
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Owner
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May 2009 - May 2010
Providing support to private equity, financial institutions and businesses in health and fitness, adult gaming centres and sports tracks. An inaugural members of the Zolfo Cooper Leisure Advisory Group. Providing support to private equity, financial institutions and businesses in health and fitness, adult gaming centres and sports tracks. An inaugural members of the Zolfo Cooper Leisure Advisory Group.
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Non Executive Director
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Jan 2006 - May 2009
Non Executive Director of the Bingo Association including time as Chairman and Vice Chairman Non Executive Director of the Bingo Association including time as Chairman and Vice Chairman
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NATIONAL BINGO GAME ASSOCIATION LIMITED(THE)
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Non Executive Director
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Jan 2006 - May 2009
Non Executive Director of the National Bingo Game Association including time as Chairman and Vice Chairman, Non Executive Director of the National Bingo Game Association including time as Chairman and Vice Chairman,
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Non Executive Director
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Jan 2006 - May 2009
Non Executive Director of Meeron Ltd including time as Chairman and Vice Chairman. Non Executive Director of Meeron Ltd including time as Chairman and Vice Chairman.
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The Rank Group plc
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United Kingdom
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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700 & Above Employee
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Managing Director
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2005 - May 2009
Joined as a Regional Director, and as market share and earnings rapidly grew through the development and execution of a people and product strategy, was quickly promoted to Operations Director and then Managing Director. Led the business through the "perfect storm" of the Smoking Ban, new Gambling Act and the onset of the "Credit Crunch" to move from loss-making back to over £30m of EBITDA within a year. Joined as a Regional Director, and as market share and earnings rapidly grew through the development and execution of a people and product strategy, was quickly promoted to Operations Director and then Managing Director. Led the business through the "perfect storm" of the Smoking Ban, new Gambling Act and the onset of the "Credit Crunch" to move from loss-making back to over £30m of EBITDA within a year.
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Leisure Parcs
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Blackpool, United Kingdom
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Operations Director
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2004 - 2005
Ran a fascinating and diverse range of leisure businesses including Blackpool Tower, Winter Gardens, Piers, Theatres, Visitor Attractions, Hotels, Amusement Arcades and a number of Bars to enable the Managing Director to focus on the Companies deregulation strategy. Ran a fascinating and diverse range of leisure businesses including Blackpool Tower, Winter Gardens, Piers, Theatres, Visitor Attractions, Hotels, Amusement Arcades and a number of Bars to enable the Managing Director to focus on the Companies deregulation strategy.
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Coral
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United Kingdom
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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700 & Above Employee
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Operations Director
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2000 - 2004
Promoted to a multi-site role within three months of the acquisition of Riva Clubs. Achieved the top performing region for three years and became the first bingo operator to cross into, and help integrate, the Casino Division post the acquisition of Ladbrokes Casinos. Promoted to a multi-site role within three months of the acquisition of Riva Clubs. Achieved the top performing region for three years and became the first bingo operator to cross into, and help integrate, the Casino Division post the acquisition of Ladbrokes Casinos.
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First Leisure/Riva Clubs
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Wakefield; Birkenhead
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General Manager
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1997 - 2000
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The Rank Group plc
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United Kingdom
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Gambling Facilities and Casinos
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700 & Above Employee
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General Manager
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1994 - 1997
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Royal Navy
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United Kingdom
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Armed Forces
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700 & Above Employee
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Able Seaman (Sonar) (Submarines)
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1986 - 1990
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Education
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1990 - 1994
Nottingham Trent University
Bachelor’s Degree, Business Studies
Community
