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Justin Browning-Smith’s industry career started as a Gaming Machine Manager with Scottish and Newcastle in the mid 1990s. Ahead of his first EAG spent working with Boomerang Digital Justin reflects on the central role that licensed premises have played in his life from working as a glass collector aged just 15, to becoming Head Cocktail Barman at Cinderalla Rockafellas in Gloucester, on to running a pub as an undergraduate where he met his future wife.  

What was your first career job and wage?

My first job was working for family friends as a glass collector in a nightclub in Newark, aged 15, earning £7 a night. I had various bar jobs throughout college and university, including Head Cocktail Barman at Cinderella Rockafellas in Gloucester, and I even ran a pub during a university summer holiday, where I met my wife. After graduating, we ran a pub together — The Peeping Tom on the outskirts of Coventry — for Scottish & Newcastle, before I became a Machine Manager for them in the mid-90s.

What was your greatest accomplishment and what are you most proud of?

Being a dad.  I have two daughters both born in January, (nine months after the Grand National!).  One of my daughters is in her final year at the University of Exeter and the other is at Hartpury Equestrian College.  I am immensely proud of them and love them both dearly.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

I’ve worked directly for many industry stalwarts: Phil Horne, John Pettit, Mark Kemp, Richard Noble and Andrew Ludlow. All have been successful and I’ve learnt something from every one of them. Working for Peter Hannibal was the real turning point — he exposed me to senior leadership for the first time and trusted me with high-profile projects.

 What are you looking forward to most from January’s EAG?

We work in a great industry with great people. I’m looking forward to catching up with many friends and contacts.

Which industry figure do you admire most?

I’ve changed my answer to this question several times.  Working for Boomerang has exposed me to several family businesses who I really admire for their relentless drive and innovation and I could have picked several of them.  The person who I am constantly wowed by though, is Andy Hornby.  I worked for him when he was the MD at Coral - he is now CEO of the Restaurant Group.  Andy is a fantastic people manager who made the whole company feel part of a big family.  He completely turned the business around during his time there.  I would also like to mention Simon Reynolds, Chief Compliance Officer at Buzz Bingo. He is incredibly bright and has helped me many times over the years with thinking through some of my more off the wall ideas. 

What role have you enjoyed most?

I’ve been very lucky — I’ve never had a job in this industry that I didn’t enjoy. I can’t recall many mornings in my career when I haven’t wanted to get to work.  

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

My best friend was Declan Crowe. He held a senior HR role at PwC and was the most engaging and emotionally aware people person I’ve ever known. He died suddenly of cancer over 20 years ago, and I still think of him often. In challenging moments, I still ask myself, “What would Dec do?”

How do you define success?

Win-win. Whether working for an operator or now a supplier, it’s important that whenever possible all parties benefit mutually.

How do you manage stress?

When things aren’t going as expected, I’ve always been able to look forward to solutions rather than dwell on the issues. Having a plan to work to helps keep stress levels down.

What are your career regrets?

I loved working in the pub industry, but I was offered a role at PwC - my degree is in Accountancy and Finance - and felt it was too prestigious to turn down. I worked there for a couple of years in London, but it was a mistake — I was much happier when I returned to the gaming industry as a Machine Manager at Coral.

What inspires or motivates you?

Innovation and creativity. I’m incredibly excited about the impact AI is going to have on both our professional and personal lives.

What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?

It’s okay to get something wrong. It’s better to try something and learn why it didn’t work than not try at all.

Something about yourself that’s not on your CV?

I DJ’d at university and continued until Covid, performing at weddings, birthdays and events under the names “Amp & Decks” and “San Fran Disco”.

In a sentence what would you change about the industry?

We’ve had — and still have — too much in-fighting. From the attacks on FOBTs to reciprocal briefings against AGCs, any negative press reflects badly on the entire gambling industry.

One piece of advice or insight that has changed your life and from whom?

‘Treat people how you want to be treated yourself’ — from my dad.

What’s your Desert Island Disc?

The hardest question of all! I love live music and we go to at least one festival a year. I think it would have to be Lucky Man by The Verve. We saw Richard Ashcroft support Oasis and have already booked to see him again in 2026.