BOOKMAKER William Hill has named its finance chief Philip Bowcock as chief executive. The appointment brings to a close a lengthy hunt for a successor to James Henderson, who left the bookmaker in July. Mr Bowcock joined the group as chief financial officer in November 2015 from Cineworld, where he was finance director for nearly four years.

William Hill chairman Gareth Davis said: "Since his appointment as interim chief executive last July, Philip has driven the business forward at real pace and we have seen important progress across our online, retail and international businesses over that time."