Sun International has confirmed that its Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Leeming, will step down from his role by 31 December 2025, marking the end of a 26-year tenure at the company. Leeming, who has been CEO since 2017, is retiring early to pursue personal opportunities outside the group.
In his place, Swedish businessman Ulrik Bengtsson has been named as the incoming CEO. Bengtsson is expected to officially take over on 1 July 2025, or earlier, pending the approval of his South African work permit.
A Legacy of Leadership
Leeming joined Sun International in 1999 as Group Finance Manager and later served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from March 2013. During his leadership as CEO, he played a crucial role in navigating the company through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, restructuring the group’s financial standing, expanding into the online gaming sector, and optimizing the company’s portfolio of assets. His tenure also focused on enhancing customer experience across Sun International’s properties, including the iconic Sun City resort.
The company stated that Leeming will remain in his role until Bengtsson assumes office to ensure a seamless transition.
Who is Ulrik Bengtsson?
Bengtsson brings a strong background in the global gaming and entertainment industry. According to Sun International, he has a “proven track record of driving business transformations, scaling omnichannel platform businesses, both organically and through M&A, as well as in-depth knowledge of the global land-based and online gaming markets.”
A graduate of Dalhousie University in Canada with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Bengtsson currently serves as Chairman of Hostelworld plc, Raketech plc, and Gamenation (UK). However, he will retire from these roles to focus on his new position at Sun International.
Looking Ahead
Sun International has expressed confidence that Bengtsson’s international expertise will help drive the company’s growth, particularly in the evolving gaming and hospitality markets. With his leadership, the group aims to continue innovating and expanding its digital and land-based offerings.
As Leeming prepares to exit, stakeholders and industry analysts will be watching closely to see how this leadership change impacts Sun International’s strategic direction in the coming years.
