Digital development partner xDesign has announced the appointment of Rik Barker as its new COO. Barker’s appointment is the latest in a series of strategic hires by the company in the last three months as it aims to build on record growth in 2023.
Barker, formerly Flutter Entertainment CIO for UK & Ireland will be responsible for the overall operations of the business while supporting it to scale and meet ambitious growth plans. Xdesign has already grown from 40 employees in November 2020 to 400 employees currently, and the company now plans to grow its workforce to 550 people and reach revenue in excess of £50 million by mid-2023.
Euan Andrews, founder and CEO of xDesign, said: “Rik brings with him a wealth of experience having been a key player in the success of global brands such as Sky Betting & Gaming, and more recently, via his role in the wider Flutter Entertainment Group. We’ve set ourselves ambitious growth plans for 2023, however, we recognise that growth shouldn’t come at a cost to our people, culture and the high standards of quality and delivery we provide for our clients. To this end, Rik is a key strategic appointment for the company and will help us realise our true potential and longer-term vision for 2025.”
Barker will be based out of the company’s recently launched Leeds office alongside several other senior team members and will also oversee operations across all of the company’s existing and future offices.
Barker said: “I’ve really bought into the vision and culture of xDesign, and am hugely impressed by what Euan and the leadership team have created. The company’s momentum in the last few years has been impressive. Both of these factors – along with the huge ambition that exists at all levels of the company – have made it easy for me to decide to join. I look forward to seeing how my experience can play a part in accelerating xDesign’s growth trajectory even further.”
