Kindred Group promotes head of sportsbook to CPO role

Kindred Group chief product officer (CPO) Fredrik Kjell has stepped down after more than two years in the role. Kjell, who served as Kindred head of gaming from January 2016 to January 2018 before becoming CPO, has joined Swedish caller ID and spam blocking service provider Truecaller as COO. Kjell will be replaced by Kindred veteran Erik Backlund, who has spent nearly 16 years with the Stockholm-listed operator. The former-Siemens exec joined Kindred in 2005 as a sportsbook development manager, before becoming head of sportsbook in 2009. Kindred Group CEO Henrik Tjärnström praised Kjell in his departing message. He told EGR: “Fredrik Kjell has made a significant contribution to Kindred in the four years he has been with the company and we wish him all the very best for the future in his new role outside the gambling industry.” Tjärnström went on to highlight Kindred’s track record in talent development as he welcomed Backlund into his new role. “Kindred has a great track record of developing talent internally and supporting employees with their career progression and there is no better example than Erik Backlund who has now taken upon the role as Kindred´s new chief product officer,” he added. Kjell has also stepped down as board member of Malta-based supplier Relax Gaming as he transitions away from the gambling industry.