Ladbrokes boss to overhaul brand

Ladbrokes boss Richard Glynn has pledged to "reinvigorate" the brand of one of Britain's best-known bookies. Mr Glynn's promise came as the company reported first-half profits of £78.1m. That was down from £114.7m but excluding volatile earnings from high rollers and one-offs, operating profit came in at £97.6m, down from £103.6m last year, when the World Cup boosted earnings. The dividend was up 1.3 per cent at 3.9p.

"We need to make the brand resonate more with football fans, with people who bet in play and with online," said Mr Glynn, who gave no update on deal talks, thought to be with rival Sportingbet.