Roger Withers, who boasts a distinguished career in the international leisure, electronic entertainment, lotteries, betting and gaming sectors, has been appointed Chairman of ATE Ltd. – the exhibitions to online company responsible for staging the International Casino Exhibition (ICE) and the Amusement Trades Exhibition International (ATEI), held each January at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London.

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Withers, aged 62 years, succeeds John Bollom who has completed his two-year period as Chairman during which he oversaw an 27 per cent increase in floor space and 13 per cent increase in the number of visitors.

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Subsequent to retiring from Bass PLC in 1998, Roger Withers has pursued a portfolio career of part-time executive and non-executive roles including Chairman of Arena Leisure Plc. – which manages six race courses, Non-Executive Director of Sportech Plc. – the parent company which amongst other gaming brands owns Bet247 and LittlewoodsCasino.com, Strategic Adviser to Scientific Games Corporation – a quoted US company and major supplier to the world’s lottery and totaliser industries, and Non-Executive Director of Leisure Parcs Ltd. – one of the prime movers to bring Las Vegas-style gambling to Blackpool, the traditional English coastal resort.

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From 2002-2004 Withers served as Vice-Chairman of iGGBA (the Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association) and was National President of UK trade association BACTA (1993-1995).

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Looking ahead to his tenure Roger Withers said: “I am delighted to be assuming the chairmanship of ATE at such an important time for the world and UK gambling, casino and betting industries. Not only is the UK at the brink of major change but opportunities are developing all around the world. By providing the very best multi-gambling sector exhibition platform for equipment, ideas and the communication of knowledge, I hope we can continue to help our exhibitors and visitors attain success in their fields.”