Ladbrokes non-exec opens turf account

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.

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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 Buys

UK Select Trust Ltd. (UKT)

Director name: Mr James M Le Pelley

Amount purchased: 535,102 @ 121.25p

Value: £648,811

Ladbrokes (LAD)

Director name: Mr John Kelly OBE

Amount purchased: 18,041 @ 137.87p

Value: £24,873

Utilico Investments Ltd (DI) (UTL)

Director name: Mr J. Michael Collier

Amount purchased: 14,540 @ 150.50p

Value: £21,883

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Director name: Mr Jose Maria Aznar

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Value: $374,289

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Director name: Mr Thomas James Perkins

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News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA)

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Amount sold: 19,233 @ $17.20

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