Latest News

Entain and McLaren F1 Team open the doors for women to return to work

Published

1 year ago

January 18, 2023

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The companies are launching a joint Returnship programme for women to return to careers in the world’s most exciting industries

Entain, the global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment group, and the McLaren F1 Team, are launching applications for their joint Returnship programme, to help reignite the careers of women returning to roles in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

While the representation of women in STEM is steadily increasing 1, there remains a significant gender imbalance – in the UK, just 26% of STEM graduates are women, and only 24% of the STEM workforce are women2. There is an urgent need to change the perceptions of careers in STEM, open more opportunities for women to pursue careers in the field, and help both women and men thrive equally in STEM.

As 26% of sports bettors globally are now female3, and F1 continues to experience a rise in female fans, with approximately 40% of fans now female4, it has become even more important for both companies to reflect the customer experience by having a diverse workforce. The Returnship programme is another step in the right direction to making this change.

Jette Nygaard-Andersen, Entain CEO, said: “The fusion of technology, sport and entertainment, and desire to support talented women re-entering the workforce meant that launching this brand-new programme with our partner, McLaren, is an obvious step. We share a passion and commitment for giving women a platform to reignite their careers in STEM and hope that through this programme, we not only support a generation of ambitious women now but inspire future generations of girls to land their dream STEM role.”

As part of the programme, an initial cohort of ten Returnship places will be created, offering unique opportunities and experience at either Entain or the McLaren F1 Team over a six-month period. The programme is designed to suit different women at different stages in their career, with successful candidates being supported by a 1-1 transitional coach specialising in returning to work, flexible working, networking with senior executives, and an opportunity to discuss permanent role opportunities after the six-month programme. Example placement roles span from software engineers and back-end developers to data scientists and design engineers, with the full list available on the programme’s website.

Candidates who meet the following minimum criteria are being sought:

At least 3 months unemployed, underemployed or reskilling
At least 2 years prior professional experience
STEM focused qualifications or experience or a personal and evidencable passion for technology / data / engineering

Entain is committed to embedding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into all corners of its business, and has launched a number of programmes to support this commitment, under its EnTrain programme, which is designed to increase access to education and training in technology and improve diversity. With EnTrain, Entain has set the objective to positively impact the lives of over 1,000,000 people around the world, either directly or through their families and dependents, by 2030.

The Entain x McLaren F1 Team Returnship programme also complements Entain’s existing Reboot@Ivy initiative, which helps women return to their technology careers at its locations in Hyderabad and Manila.

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, commented: “We are excited to be launching the first returnship of its kind within F1 in partnership with Entain. This is an opportunity to drive real change within the Engineering and Technology industries and is part of our overall commitment to making STEM careers more accessible to all, and to having 40% of our employees from under-represented backgrounds by 2030.”

In December 2022, Formula 1 announced teams for its F1 Academy: an all-female racing series for younger drivers, set for 2023. Likewise, Extreme E has elevated women in motorsport with its gender-equal motorsport series. These moves demonstrate the eagerness to propel women drivers into the upper echelons of the sport, and mirror what Entain and the McLaren F1 Team are hoping to achieve through the Returnship programme.

Latest News

BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25

Published

3 hours ago

May 8, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25

BLAST to start hosting regular Dota 2 tournaments in 2024/25
First studio event to take place in November 2024
BLAST.tv will become new home of Dota 2 esports, platform will allow fans to tailor their viewing experience, get closer to the action and impact the entertainment unfolding before their eyes

Esports entertainment company BLAST has revealed plans to enter Dota 2 with a full schedule of events to be rolled out in 2024/25. BLAST will become the new home of Dota 2 esports through arranging a tournament series focused on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments.

The tournament organiser will host a first Dota 2 studio event in November, ahead of four events taking place in 2025. The full extent of the new Dota 2 tournament series will be revealed in the summer, where further information on format, prize pool and locations will be shared.

Andrew Haworth, VP of Ecosystems, Valve & Riot Games, said: “We are delighted to be entering Dota 2 and have plans for BLAST to bring a new level of production and excitement that Dota fans haven’t seen before. It’s a game we love as fans and players, we’ve been following closely as an interested tournament organiser for the last few years. As we’ve grown as a business and expand into further titles, Dota has always been on our wish list.

With the recent changes to the Dota ecosystem we feel it’s the perfect opportunity for BLAST to come in, provide the community with the next level of tournaments and become the new home of Dota 2.

“BLAST prides itself on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments while bringing together the very best teams and biggest superstars to fight it out for glory on the server. We look forward to bringing this approach to the world of Dota 2 and providing fans with the best esports entertainment on offer.”

This strategic move marks a significant expansion of BLAST’s tournament portfolio, further diversifying its offerings beyond its successful ventures in Fortnite (FNCS), Rocket League (RLCS), Counter-Strike, and Rainbow Six Siege.

BLAST.tv, a custom made esports live viewing platform, will add Dota 2 to its offering meaning fans will be able to enjoy a tailor made competitive esports viewing experience and platform. Fans will never miss a key moment of the action with the BLAST.tv interactive timeline feature, which catalogues standout highlights to be replayed instantly on the playback timeline.

The platform has a custom built video player with 4K capabilities and a moderated live chat feature that will enable fans to connect with a like-minded community, where fans will be able to impact the events unfolding before their eyes through interactive polls.

Outside of the live experience, BLAST.tv will be a one-stop-shop for Dota 2 esports fans. Providing them with the latest player stats, team standings, mini-games, news and exclusive content and experiences.

The post BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Emma Shilling Receives Visionary Compliance Leader Award in the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards

Published

3 hours ago

May 8, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SolutionsHub’s Head of Compliance, Emma Shilling, has been recognised at the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards, winning the prestigious Visionary Compliance Leader Award. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence within the compliance landscape.

The 2024 Women in Leadership Awards celebrate excellence in leadership by meticulously evaluating outstanding individuals and organisations. Through a rigorous selection process based on comprehensive standards, these awards recognise impactful contributions.

This award is a testament to Emma’s remarkable achievements and her leadership excellence, specifically in eGaming compliance. As a compliance leader, she has consistently demonstrated visionary thinking, dedication to sustainability, and a passion for responsible gambling practices within the online gambling industry.

SolutionsHub Director Nick Wright, said “We are very proud of Emma. Her strategic vision, dedication to pragmatic and ethical compliance, and pursuit of excellence underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and innovation.

“This award reinforces Emma’s reputation as a compliance leader and enhances her credibility within our industry and beyond.”

In response to receiving this award Emma said “I would like to thank those that nominated me and the judges for this honor. To be recognised with this award is immensely satisfying for me personally and a testiment to our teams collective commitment to innovation while furthering responsible gambling practices and maintaining the highest standards of compliance.”

SolutionsHub, a leading compliance consultancy, specialises in tailoring comprehensive solutions for Isle of Man-licensed eGaming businesses. With a seasoned team of industry veterans and former regulators at the helm, SolutionsHub ensures that businesses maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and regulatory compliance in the often challenging online gambling sector.

Emma Shilling is Head of Compliance at SolutionsHub, where she leads the compliance team in delivering bespoke compliance solutions for Isle of Man licensed eGaming businesses.

Note: The Women in Leadership Awards are organized by EMG Publishing Group and recognise exceptional female leaders across various sectors.

The post Emma Shilling Receives Visionary Compliance Leader Award in the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

ESL FACEIT Group Partners with s1mple for Launch of Play Like s1mple Project

Published

3 hours ago

May 8, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Legendary Counter-Strike Star’s Educational Program Will Offer 60+ Tutorials and Exclusive FACEIT Features To Help Players Up Their Game.

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, and renowned Counter-Strike player Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev today announced a partnership with Play Like s1mple Project – an educational video series designed to change how players approach mastering Counter-Strike 2.

The program will include more than 60 interactive sessions, with a focus on in-game skill development and strategy as well as out-of-game topics such as career advancement. The program aims to empower gamers of all levels to unlock their full potential in Counter-Strike 2.

“We’re thrilled to launch the Play Like s1mple Project and provide gamers with a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business,” said s1mple. “Whether you’re a casual player looking to improve your skills, better understand the game, and achieve a champion mindset or a great pro aiming to take your game to the next level, this program has something for everyone. I wish someone could have shared these skills with me when I just started my journey in CS.”

Play Like s1mple Project will bring the comprehensive educational program to the global gaming audience in partnership with FACEIT, the leading community platform for online PvP play. FACEIT has been the home of competitive Counter-Strike for more than a decade and will now offer a suite of educational programming that supports the in-game learning experience it offers for casual players and aspiring pros alike. Through this collaboration, Play Like s1mple Project participants will gain exclusive access to FACEIT’s premium features and exclusive on-platform content.

“s1mple’s success, longevity in Counter-Strike and legacy with FACEIT, makes him uniquely qualified to help our global community learn and master their game at the highest level of competition. ” said Fabio Floris, President, Digital Platforms, ESL FACEIT Group. “Viewers will not only pick up the intricacies of top-tier CS, but also insights on what it takes to break into the industry in other ways, including as caster, talent manager, and more.”

Key features of the Play Like s1mple Project include:

Unmatched Talent: s1mple, possibly the greatest player in Counter-Strike history, will share his expertise and practical knowledge.
Legendary Experience: Comparable to legends like Jordan or Messi, s1mple will share secrets and best practices developed over more than a decade of play.
Career Development Resources: Gain insights into the esports industry and learn how to turn your passion for gaming into a successful career with guidance from industry experts.

FACEIT Community Support:

Join a community of gamers and CS enthusiasts.
Get tips and strategies directly from s1mple
Connect with like-minded individuals worldwide.

Exclusive Content and Competitions:

Access premium content.
Participate in tournaments for the community.
Have personal communication with s1mple and other top players, providing unparalleled insights into the world of professional gaming.

Registration for the Play Like s1mple Project will open May13 with limited spots available. Visit playlikes1mple.com for more information, and follow All Stars Promo on Twitter or Instagram. For more information on the FACEIT platform, check out eslfaceitgroup.com and follow EFG on LinkedIn.

The post ESL FACEIT Group Partners with s1mple for Launch of Play Like s1mple Project appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.