Ladbrokes non-exec opens turf account

26th Oct 2011 16:05

Ladbrokes non-executive John Kelly has decided to take a punt, buying nearly £25,000 of shares in the bookmaker.He took 18,041 shares in the company at 137.9p, his first investment in the firm even though he joined the board more than a year ago, in September 2010.Kelly was the founder and chief executive of bingo, casino and bookmaking outfit Gala Coral Group. He stepped down as chairman of the company in 2009.Kelly received his OBE for services to the gambling industry.His investment in Ladbrokes comes amid a good run for the firm's shares, after a third quarter update.Revenues were up by 2.5% in the three months to the end of September."The economic climate in the UK remains challenging and whilst we expect this to continue we are confident in our strategy and remain in line with the board's expectations for 2011," he said. "We are making good progress on the delivery of our operational and technology milestones and look forward to sharing more detail on these at the full year."Top Director BuysUK Select Trust Ltd. (UKT) Director name: Mr James M Le PelleyAmount purchased: 535,102 @ 121.25p Value: £648,811Ladbrokes (LAD) Director name: Mr John Kelly OBEAmount purchased: 18,041 @ 137.87p Value: £24,873Utilico Investments Ltd (DI) (UTL) Director name: Mr J. Michael CollierAmount purchased: 14,540 @ 150.50p Value: £21,883Top Director SellsNews Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Jose Maria AznarAmount sold: 21,761 @ $17.20 Value: $374,289News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Thomas James PerkinsAmount sold: 21,761 @ $17.20 Value: $374,289News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Kenneth CowleyAmount sold: 19,233 @ $17.20 Value: $330,808