Feature
Feature
Kostandina Zafirovska, CEO, BtoBet
Zafirovska has been at the helm of Malta-based sportsbook and gaming platform BtoBet since January 2017, having served the previous two years as the company’ s chief operating officer. She has more than 17 years of experience in computer science engineering. Alongside heading up BtoBet Zafirovska is on the executive board of Swedish software consultancy Seavus. She rose through the organisation, heading up several departments on the way, and assisted high-profile clients from various industries including insurance and finance. Her specialty has been designing and developing IT software products aimed at improving customer experience and simplicity of use. One of the projects she started working on almost five years ago was the development of the gaming and sports betting platforms that now constitute what she describes as“ the backbone” of BtoBet. As such, she has seen the firm rise right through from its inception. Having overseen the launch and growth of BtoBet in a highly competitive market, she says her next challenge is“ to influence the gaming community to embrace ever more the concept of advanced technology, and to recognize the value that this same technology has in terms of operational results”. One igaming exec described Zafirovska as“ funny and charming” but“ one of the most commercially shrewd and determined people you’ ll ever meet”, while the judges saw her as the driving force behind a“ technology challenger platform” and“ making inroads in new markets”. This year alone BtoBet has articulated plans to expand in Italy and Peru. Asked what she would say to other women looking to excel in igaming she said:“ Be confident, grasp every opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field, and base your action on wisdom and integrity.”
Lydia Barbara, Head of Innovation Strategy, Microgaming
Barbara entered the industry through poker, studying and playing the game long enough to, in her own words, become“ good enough to make a living out of”. In 2009 she joined Microgaming as a poker manager before moving up to head the team eight months later. She then occupied positions as head of network games and head of Microgaming’ s in-house marketing consultancy Pegasus Gaming Solutions before taking the helm of the supplier’ s innovation unit in January 2017. Having earned her stripes climbing the ladder at Microgaming, Barbara turned her attention to innovation, an area where she has exercised particular influence over the past 18 months. Nominations highlighted her“ strong entrepreneurial spirit and creative influence”, pointing to the 2016 launch of her brainchild, innovation unit the Ideas Factory. The initiative is a six-month contest in which staff submit their best ideas to a panel of 20 committee members, before 13 senior managers decide which will go live. Three years into spearheading the project, Barbara has seen it expand internationally and pick up two industry awards.“ But the most rewarding thing is being able to see the passion and dedication from staff, it’ s humbling and inspiring,” she says. Using the Ideas Factory software and processes, Barbara’ s next challenge is a slight departure. Working with a group of Isle of Man technologists, she is launching a yearlong contest to help solve the plastics pollution problem on the island. Asked what her advice would be for women looking to succeed in igaming, she says:“ My advice for women would probably be the same as for men. Work hard, be professional and supportive of others, and don’ t ever hesitate to put your hand up for new opportunities.”
iGamingBusiness | Issue 111 | July / August 2018 81