Introducing the finalists for Betting Shop Manager of the Year 2022

The final of this year’s Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year competition takes place in London on Monday when a new champion will be crowned.

Here, the eight regional champions introduce themselves by talking about their lives, careers and how they relax away from their jobs.

The winner will be invited to several key racing and betting events during their year as champion.

Karina Begley

William Hill (St Helier, South-west and Channel Islands)

Having been born in Latvia, I moved to Jersey when I was 17. It was only supposed to be for the summer holidays before I returned home to study.

However, I decided to stay. I struggled quite a bit at first, as I didn’t speak much English. I’m still not perfect, but I’m sure I’ll get there. I’m always willing to learn with the guidance of older and wiser people. I take everything on board and appreciate everyone’s input.

Before starting at William Hill, I had always worked in customer-facing positions, from hotels to bar work.

Karina Begley: manager of a Ladbrokes shop in St HelierCredit: Nigel Kirby

I saw William Hill’s advert, so I decided to apply. I had never been to a betting shop before then and didn’t really know what betting was. It was an interesting start – and a challenge – for me. I picked things up fairly quickly and after a couple of years I became a manager.

I don’t think I would be where I am now without the support of my family, customers, colleagues and my managers. I will be forever grateful to them.

In my spare time, I like to spend time with my husband Kieron and son Aiden, catching up with my sisters and brother, going for long walks on the beach, reading books and experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes.

Josephine Donoghue

Coral (Farnborough, Anglia and south-east)

I was born on Christmas Eve 1982 into a military family. The family moved to Germany when I was three. We were fortunate to move around every few years and I was lucky enough to see a lot of Europe.

I took up karate, going on to gain my black belt and representing my Dojo regularly in tournaments both in Germany and the UK.

We returned to England in my early teens. I played in several sports teams while at school and this taught me the value of team work.

Josephine Donoghue: manager of a Coral shop in FarnboroughCredit: Nigel Kirby

I love sport and I’m a big Arsenal fan supporting both the men and women. I’m also a huge advocate for the WSL. I occasionally play golf and regularly watch it on TV.

I joined the betting industry in 2008 and after only a few weeks fell in love with my job as I soon realised it was for me. I started as an assistant manager in my local Coral in Farnborough and five years ago I became a manager. In the last 18 months I’ve become a multi-site manager, managing two shops locally.

A work highlight is working at Sandown as I’d never really watched or had an interest in horseracing until joining Coral.

I spend a lot of time with my partner Leeanne, family and friends socialising, going out for dinner and organising BBQs in all weather.

Graham Fitzpatrick

Paddy Power (Carlow, Ireland)

My first experience in gainful employment was at the age of 18 under the supervision of my sister-in-law, Melanie, before pursuing a betting shop career with Paddy Power.

Paddy Power became my second and only other employer thereafter fulfilling my sport entertainment needs. However, my twice weekly friendly football games were also required much to the detriment of my ankles.

My loyalty and dedication to my employer reaped great rewards as I was promoted from cashier to deputy manager to manager and eventually to district coordinator by the age of 25.

Graham Fitzpatrick: manager of a Paddy Power shop in CarlowCredit: Nigel Kirby

During this period of demanding work and football I managed to gain a loving partner Stephanie and two children, Darragh aged ten and Leah aged five.

Steering me towards the Playstation with Minecraft and dolls, I now have a golem as a bodyguard and I’m also an expert in the application of nail varnish. A third addition will arrive in February.

My resilience in all aspects of family and professional life comes from my attitude of always looking out for the silver lining while not taking life too seriously. As Henry Winkler once said: “Ten out of ten people die, so don’t take life too seriously.”

Nevertheless, my positive attitude does not dampen my ambitions. Succeeding to the best of my abilities in all aspects of life while enjoying the ride is a goal of mine.

Steven Haines

Betfred (Rainhill, North-west and Isle of Man)

I’m 50 years old, married to Sue for 13 years and have a 21-year old stepdaughter Holly.

My first day was the 1993 Grand National. My mum, Helen, worked for Ladbrokes, and she asked if I would help with the bet sorting and filing. With all bets voided there were a lot of bets to refund in the days before computers!

I then started with Ladbrokes and worked my way up to deputy manager level.

Steven Haines: manager of a Betfred shop in RainhillCredit: Nigel Kirby

In 1998 I transferred to Wirral as manager and a year later switched to an independent, Chris Pluck, for 12 years until Betfred acquired them in 2011. After a year I moved to Rainhill where I’ve been for ten years.

I was group sales manager looking after six shops until the position ended in 2020. I was seconded to area staffing coordinator following a mini-restructure before returning as a manager.

I enjoy meals out with close friends, binge watching TV and watching football while supporting Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool.

I support Sue in her open water swimming, including crewing for her English Channel and round Jersey solo swims. She raises money for a local Liverpool charity helping disadvantaged children (KIND).

I’ve met a few famous people, the two who stand out are Willie Carson in hospitality watching Tranmere v Swindon and Paul Barber from Only Fools and Horses and The Full Monty after he wrote a good luck card to Sue in support of her fundraising swim.

Hayley Hallam

Coral (Wolverhampton, Midlands and Wales)

I’m 38 years old, and born and bred in Wolverhampton. From the age of 16 I started my working life with a Saturday job as a waitress in a local cafe. Alongside this, I also worked behind the bar at a working men’s club. Working with people makes me flourish and brings the best out in me, so when the opportunity arose to work at Coral I jumped at the chance.

In 2005, when I was 21, my career at Coral began as a trainee deputy manager. I enjoyed learning about the business and getting involved in recruitment and training. I continued to gain experience and worked my way up to marketplace manger. My passion still burns on for this industry 17 years later.

Hayley Hallam: manager of a Coral shop in WolverhamptonCredit: Nigel Kirby

I’m the eldest of three children. I have a sister, and a brother who has severe autism. Family is hugely important and growing up with a sibling with difficulties has made our family bond stronger.

I love to spend time with my three-year-old nephew going on adventures. I enjoy seeing friends going out to dance; I’m always the first on the dance floor. Cooking is not one of my best qualities, but I do give it a go!

I’ve had the privilege of welcoming darts legend Eric Bristow and Chris Kamara into my shop. However, becoming the regional champion and appearing in a Racing Post pullout is a proud and humbling achievement.

James Maloney

Star Sports (Mayfair, Greater London)

I’ve always been passionate about sport and betting, and started working in the industry in 1996. First, with Coral for ten years and then Jennings for a further ten, both in the London area.

I’ve been with Star Sports for the last six years working at our Mayfair branch. As well as playing a part in the shop expansion programme, I’ve represented the company managing shops in the Sovereign Suite at Cheltenham and at Lord’s for international cricket matches.

My interest in racing and betting started early – I can remember going with Dad to watch greyhounds he owned run at Maidstone in the 80s and helping exercise them on Sunday mornings.

James Maloney: manager of the Star Sports shop in MayfairCredit: Nigel Kirby

In my spare time I enjoy playing golf and I’m a season ticket-holder at AFC Wimbledon.

I love to holiday in Las Vegas, having visited seven times, and I also enjoy short breaks in Europe – Munich, Budapest and Prague among others.

I was due to visit Iceland with a former colleague but sadly he lost his battle with cancer in August. This was on his bucket list, and I will travel there soon in his memory and plan to host a race night to raise funds for Cancer Research in his name.

I’m a proud uncle to three nephews and a niece and love spending time with them, despite one now claiming he’s a Crystal Palace fan! It’s a great thrill to reach the final of such a prestigious award.

David Morley

William Hill (Glasgow, Scotland)

I’m 48, approaching my 30th year working for William Hill, so the betting industry is all I know.

After securing a manager’s position I was given the opportunity to manage a large variety of shops and gained enough experience to take on a district manager role in charge of 32 shops for a year.

I found it enjoyable meeting so many different people, but I missed the day-to-day customer interaction, so I went back into the shops.

David Morley: manager of a William Hill shop in GlasgowCredit: Nigel Kirby

This turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made because shortly afterwards I met my partner Laura – her parents were customers of mine. Ten years later we have two daughters, Gracie aged eight and Eloise aged six.

As a family we’ve always been adventurous and love the great outdoors.

Unfortunately, Laura’s father passed away and her mental health took a turn for the worst, so I decided to relocate to Scotland so she could be closer to her family.

I’m a keen photographer and enjoy walks with my girls. A funny memory from one of our mountain adventures is when we climbed the Cobbler for charity with my family Gracie wanted to save her sweets until she got to the summit. Once we made it to the top she took out her sweets from her pocket, and they blew out of her hand and plummeted 3,000 feet!

We had this vision of climbers starting their climb at the bottom, witnessing a bag of sweets dropping from the sky.

Melanie Puckrin

Ladbrokes (Middlesbrough, North and north-east)

I was born 51 years ago in Scunthorpe before moving to the north-east with my mum, dad and older sister when I was five, as my dad relocated with British Steel.

I had a barmaid job while at college studying travel and tourism after which I had a gap year. I started at Reg Boyle and after six months I was managing. A year later I was asked if I wanted to come to Ladbrokes and 30 years later I’m still here and still love it.

Melanie Puckrin: manager of a Ladbrokes shop in MiddlesbroughCredit: Nigel Kirby

I’ve managed many different shops, from opening new units to the digi hub concept shop I have now. The one consistent theme is the amazing shop teams I’ve had and great customers. There’s no other industry like it, and I’ve made lifelong friends along the way.

I met my husband Simon when he was managing a different shop. We moved in together after four weeks of dating in 1999 and got married in 2008. I have a stepson Liam, 26, who gave us two gorgeous grandchildren and my son Jack, 18, who has just started studying sports journalism at Sheffield University and has a part-time job at Ladbrokes. He now understands why I love my job so much.

Darts is a big thing in my family and in the area I live. Jack plays for Cleveland County Youth, so I used to love it when Eric Bristow and Bobby George used to pop into our shop when visiting family.

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Regional champions revealed for the 2022 Betting Shop Manager of the Year

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