Sebastian Bielski has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Zeal. He will be responsible for finance, investor relations, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. His term will initially last for three years starting from 1 October. Bielski will also join Zeal’s management board. He replaces Jonas Mattsson, who has chosen not to extend his mandate after serving as CFO for eight years. Mattsson will officially step down on 30 September to spend more time with his family. Additionally, Mattsson is the CFO of the Lotto24 business and will be replaced by Andrea Behrendt until March of next year. Behrendt is currently the vice-president for group controlling at Zeal.
Bielski brings a wealth of experience from multiple markets. He was previously the CFO of solar power business Energiekonzepte Deutschland and held the same role at German loan portal Smava for seven years. He has also worked in senior positions, including chief strategy officer, at delivery platform Delivery Hero. Bielski has a background in the banking sector, having worked at Goldman Sachs and Archer Capital. “I am honored that the Zeal board has placed their trust in me,” said Bielski. “I am excited to take on my new responsibilities and collaborate with the ambitious board team.”
CEO Helmut Becker expressed his enthusiasm about working with Bielski and highlighted his capital market expertise and experience in building high-growth businesses, which aligns with Zeal’s growth agenda. Becker also recognized the contributions and dedication of outgoing CFO Jonas Mattsson, emphasizing the financial foundation he provided during his eight-year tenure. Zeal recently announced its first-half results, reporting an 11% increase in revenue. However, higher marketing spending impacted its earnings. The operator attributed the growth to successful marketing campaigns during high jackpot phases, which boosted customer acquisition and revenue.