LADBROKES has promoted the Scottish born head of its digital operation to be its new chief executive.

Jim Mullen, who is from Glasgow, will take over from Richard Glynn in the top role at the bookmakers from April 1.

Mr Mullen will be paid a basic salary of £500,000 and will also be eligible for a share award worth around £1m this year.

The 44-year-old studied computer programming at Glasgow Caledonian and Westminster universities before going on to work in IT related roles in advertising and marketing agencies in Scotland.

He moved to News International as director of digital strategy for News Group Newspapers and was later promoted to director of commercial, digital and development there.

In 2010 he went to William Hill online as its chief operating officer before joining Ladbrokes as director for digital in November 2013.

Mr Mullen said: "I am delighted to become chief executive of Ladbrokes. The business has undergone rapid change and we have laid good foundations from which to grow but there remains much to do.

"We have a strong brand, competitive products and excellent people throughout the business. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to make the most of the opportunities ahead to grow the Ladbrokes business."

Peter Erskine, chairman of Ladbrokes, said: "We conducted an extensive search to identify Richard Glynn's successor. We attracted a number of strong external candidates.

"Since Jim's arrival in the business, less than 18 months ago, he has helped transform our digital operations. He has built and led a strong team and won the respect of his colleagues and the confidence of the board through successful delivery of a new competitive and innovative digital offer that has delivered growth.

"The board is confident that Jim can use the leadership qualities he has displayed in the digital team to take forward the wider Ladbrokes' business. He faced tough competition from strong external candidates but emerged as the unanimous choice."