Mike Smith, who has served as the head of various top gambling companies in the country, has been appointed by the UK Minister of Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe to act as chairman for Tote UK. Smith leaves his job as chairman of Big Apple Entertainment to take on the new role.

The sixty-one year old Smith has headed major companies such as Rank, Ladbrokes and William Hill, seeing many of them through successful periods of sale and acquisition. 

Gerry Sutcliffe said about Smith’s appointment: “I’m very pleased Mike Smith has agreed to take on the role of Tote Chair. He has significant industry expertise that will prove invaluable during this important period for the Tote, as will his extensive track record in leading gaming businesses through mergers and acquisitions. I am confident he will provide the kind of leadership needed to help grow the Tote’s business at the same time as seeing it through any sale process.”