Why does talent quality define long-term value in iGaming?
Hanna Radchenko, CEO of Apercon, was featured in SiGMA Magazine issue 34, distributed at SiGMA Euro-Med earlier this month. The feature examines how refined recruitment and business integrity shape sustainable expansion in iGaming, where funding is abundant but leadership remains scarce.
Founded in 2002 in Ukraine, Apercon began as a recruitment and consulting firm serving FMCG, manufacturing, and B2B markets, honing precision through global partnerships. Since 2012, its focus has turned to iGaming—an industry offering vast potential offset by complex responsibilities.
“In this market, money is not the problem; the problem is finding the right people and ensuring high-quality recruitment while maintaining pace, speed, engagement, and reliability,” says Radchenko. This ethos led Apercon into tier-one markets, including Cyprus, Malta, the USA, and the UK, alongside emerging regions such as India and Peru.
What drives iGaming recruitment demand?
Roughly 70 percent of Apercon’s mandates follow unplanned dismissals or rapid growth, making agility fundamental to operations. High-level searches often target CEO, COO, CFO, and Head of Affiliates roles, where precision directly impacts business outcomes. “Hiring the wrong executives is an expensive luxury,” says Radchenko. “If we see that a partner is about to make an ineffective decision, we propose optimal alternatives. It is our job to join forces and ensure the result”.
Across global markets, shifting regulations, multinational expansion, and advancing tech have raised recruitment complexity. “Operational efficiency is not an abstract goal; it is the guarantee of achieving business goals for any company. Business is done by people,” she adds.
Expanding beyond recruitment
Though C-level searches form its core, Apercon now operates seven departments spanning financial advisory, licensing and compliance, cybersecurity, certification, and creative content. These units build a full-service model tackling every stage of enterprise growth. Apercon’s investments reflect this structure. A €200,000 stake in the UK startup Data Island strengthened AI solutions for customer support, HR, and CRM systems, while €300,000 into Spin Joy Games expanded content expertise. This measured, long-term approach mirrors the company’s recruitment philosophy.
Operating across Kyiv, Budapest, Vienna, Alicante, and Miami, with a new regional hub in Limassol, Apercon maintains a round-the-clock presence. “We work 24 hours a day across US and EU time zones because for us this is a lifestyle, not just a job,” notes Radchenko.
Why values matter now
For Radchenko, growth must never eclipse integrity. “We are already at that tier where we are not only chosen as a partner; we also choose who we want to work with,” she says. “We like working with those who share our rhythm, interests, and ideas or are simply ready to do their work well”.
Corporate social responsibility is treated with equal rigour through education, environmental initiatives, and esports sponsorships. “For us, CSR is not a PR stunt; it is part of the operating budget, the same as salaries or utilities,” she adds. Apercon’s consistency, reliability, and grounded human focus have made it a trusted name within the competitive iGaming landscape, reinforcing Radchenko’s belief that sustainable growth begins not with capital, but with people.
SiGMA Central Europe takes place from 3–6 November, gathering global executives to discuss regional innovation, regulation, and recruitment trends.
