Camelot CEO is a Winner
Last Updated: Wednesday 7th August 2013, 13:01
The Chief Executive of the UK National Lottery operator Camelot Group plc, Dianne Thompson, has won the category for Business in the 2006 European Achievement Awards. The competition was fierce, with nominees including bankers, investment managers, retail experts and other senior businesswomen from across Europe.
Lottery sales are falling internationally, but the judges applauded Dianne for her ability to buck this trend to point where Camelot have achieved the longest period of growth on record for the UK lottery.
Speaking about Dianne, the Woman of Achievement awards citation said, "One of her most successful projects has been Camelot's pioneering of EuroMillions, a new mega-jackpot game bringing together ten lotteries in nine countries.
"She chairs the Childline Foundation fund-raising committee, and has committed to personally raising £1 million for the charity."
Dianne began working with Camelot Group plc as the Commercial Operations Director in 1997 - a role which made her the first female Executive Director on the board of the company. Three years later, in 2000, she became the company's Chief Executive.
Commenting on being given the award, Dianne said, "The European Woman of Achievement Awards have a history of recognising some of the world's most inspirational women, and I feel honoured to be in their company.
"But this award is not just for me," she added. "It's for the remarkable team I have at Camelot who have helped to push annual sales over the £5 billion mark."
Diane is currently spearheading a bid by the Camelot Group to secure the third lottery licence. "We're aiming to submit a bid which really captures the public imagination and delivers the best return to the Good Causes."
So there you have it - the UK has a great lottery with an award-winning Woman of Achievement at the helm. And that's official!