Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes plc is a British-based betting and gambling company. It is based in Rayners Lane in Harrow, London. From 14 May 1999 to 23 February 2006, when it owned the Hilton hotel brand outside the United States, it was known as Hilton Group plc. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 250 Index, having been relegated from the FTSE 100 Index in June 2006.
In July 2015, the company reached an agreement to merge with its rival, Gala Coral Group. Under the terms, Ladbrokes' chief executive Jim Mullen will become CEO of the new company, named Ladbrokes Coral.
History
The company was founded by Mr. Schwind and Pendleton in 1886 as commission agents for horses trained at Ladbroke Hall in Worcestershire. The name Ladbrokes was adopted in 1902 when one Arthur Bendir joined the partnership and operations were moved to London. Ladbrokes' first London offices were situated in the vicinity of the Strand, later moving to Hanover Square in 1906 and, in 1913, the firm graduated to Six Old Burlington Street, Mayfair. From 1913 to acquisition of the firm by Mark Stein (aka Max Parker) and his nephew Cyril Stein in 1956, Ladbrokes' clientele was exclusively drawn from the ranks of the British aristocracy and upper classes, many of whom were members of the elite gentlemen's clubs in the St James's area of Central London.
