XLMedia Plc has confirmed the appointment of Marcus Rich as Non-Executive Chairman of the London AIM-listed online gambling media group.

Rich succeeds Christopher Bell, who at the start of year announced his resignation as XLMedia Chairman, choosing to join restructured Spanish gambling group Nueva Codere.

A UK media figurehead, Rich is the current Non-Executive Chairman of AIM-listed mobile content publisher Digitalbox Plc.

XLMedia’s new chairman is the former Managing Director of leading UK magazine publisher EMAP’s Lifestyle and Advertising division, as well as overseeing the group’s expansion within the US and Australia.

“On behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome Marcus to XLMedia, who brings a wealth of digital publishing and capital markets experience to this role,” said Julie Markey, Interim Non-Executive Chair of XLMedia.

“We look forward to Marcus supporting the strategic ambitions for our business and I believe we will greatly benefit from his knowledge and expertise.”

Following his appointment Rich, also become a member of  XLMedia’s Audit, Remuneration and Risk Committees

Rich commented on joining XLMedia –  “I am really looking forward to working with the team following the period of strategic redirection to maximise the digital opportunities from the existing assets and take advantage of the growth opportunities in the core areas of sports betting in a marketplace that is constantly evolving.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Julie Markey for the support she has provided as Interim-Chair.”