Gibraltar connects with gambling operators on GibLink: success in Marbella and Betfred takes over in Manchester
More than 160 businessmen and professionals participated in GibLink Marbella, while Gibraltar is already preparing its next appointment in Manchester with Joanne Whittaker, CEO of Betfred, as one of the main protagonists.
The Government of Gibraltar has confirmed the success of GibLink Marbella, held on Thursday 17th September at The Pool, where more than 160 people gathered, with the presence of entrepreneurs, intermediaries and operators established in Marbella.
The attendees were divided equally between the Government of Gibraltar and its network of sponsors and The Pool community itself. For the Gibraltarian Executive, the response achieved reflects precisely the objective with which GibLink was born: to generate direct business dialogue and connect Gibraltar with communities capable of investing, partnering or developing new operations from the Rock.
The meeting also put on the table the possibilities offered by the proximity between Gibraltar, Marbella and the technological hub of Malaga. One of the conversations brought together Sam Buxton, Gibraltarian businessman and founder of Damex, with Christian Rasmusson, CEO of The Pool and promoter of Marbella 2.0, under the moderation of Cecilia Bravo.
Buxton explained his experience developing a technology company with international projection from Gibraltar, while Rasmusson addressed the evolution of Marbella 2.0 and the technological corridor that connects Malaga Tech Park with the Marbella business community, as well as the opportunities for Gibraltar to be linked to this expanding ecosystem.
Gibraltar's Minister for Enterprise, Gemma Arias-Vásquez, starred in the second conversation with Ed Allison-Wright, from World Trade Center Gibraltar and Ocean Village Group. Arias-Vásquez argued that the Treaty is a positive step for companies by promoting investor confidence and bringing the business communities of Gibraltar and Spain closer together.
After Marbella, GibLink is now focusing on Manchester, in an event of special interest for the gaming industry. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 30 and will have among its main protagonists Joanne Whittaker, CEO of Betfred, one of the large British betting operators, whose online business has millions of active customers.
Whittaker will share the panel discussion with Ian Lees, co-founder of Vega Comms, a digital and media agency with offices in Manchester and Gibraltar; Alex Turner, co-CEO of TheBusinessDesk.com; and Grahame Jackson, partner in the tax department of Hassans and president of the Gibraltar Association of Tax Advisors.
The presence of Betfred's CEO gives special sectoral relevance to this second stop and reinforces GibLink's connection with a city closely linked to the British betting industry and with important business relations with Gibraltar.
Minister Gemma Arias-Vásquez has especially highlighted the response obtained in Marbella: "GibLink Marbella exceeded our expectations, both in terms of the number of attendees and the quality of the conversations that took place".
As he explained, each of these meetings aims to put the Gibraltar business community in direct contact with people and companies that can "invest here, partner with us or establish their operations in our city".
Following Manchester, the series will continue with its flagship event in London on Tuesday 20 October, extending a strategy that connects Gibraltar with three enclaves of particular business relevance: Marbella, Manchester and London.
