Incoming Paddy Power chief executive Andy McCue announced three senior management appointments on Tuesday, one of which will provide for the creation of a new product development function.

“These appointments reflect a strategic emphasis on customer and product. I am delighted to be filling these positions with high calibre individuals with a proven track record of success in the group,” Mr McCue said.

As chief product officer Peter O'Donovan will lead the new product function, which brings together the technology and product development teams across Paddy Power and Cayetano in Bulgaria. In addition, the technology department of Sportsbet, the group's Australian business, will have a dotted reporting line into Mr O'Donovan. Global product innovation will be coordinated centrally under Peter.

Johnny Hartnett, currently director of operations at Paddy Power will become managing director for the group's online business: paddypower.com and paddypower.it, together with Dial-a-Bet and customer operations.

Christian Woolfenden, former global marketing director, has been appointed mnaging director, retail (UK & Ireland). The Chief Executive Designate of Paddy Power plc, Andy McCue, today Tuesday 9th December, announces three senior management appointments. The appointments will take effect from 1st January 2015, coinciding with Andy assuming the role of Chief Executive.