Martin Burlin to step down as Eag Chairman after delivering 2025 show

Martin Burlin has confirmed his decision to step down as Eag Chairman following 15-years at the helm.

Burlin, who has served the UK amusements and gaming industry for more than four decades including as President of land-based trade association Bacta will be succeeded by another former Bacta President and respected industry figure Nick Harding. Martin Burlin will retain his lifetime association with the London show as senior Non-Executive Director of Eag Expo.
 
Reflecting on his stewardship Martin Burlin said: “I have had the privilege of attending Atei as a young man, subsequently serving as Chairman of Ate Ltd, launching Eag in 2010 and alongside a talented organising team and colleagues on the Board of Directors helping to establish a professional and respected showcase for the UK and broader European industry.
I am particularly pleased to have helped grow Eag which in 2025 will include two co-located complementary shows in the form of the Social Immersive Entertainment Expo and the London Casino and Gaming Show. Both events will sit alongside Eag as a natural expansion, offering new revenue streams for both operators and manufacturers.”
 
He added: “This is an appropriate time for me to hand over the reins and I am delighted that Nick Harding who has served the industry both as a respected senior executive  and as Bacta President will be taking charge of what is a growing and dynamic event. I have no doubt that he will take Eag Expo to the next level.”
 
Confirming the succession Bacta President John Bollom said: “I would like to say a huge thanks to Martin for his expert stewardship of the Eag Expo. Not only did he launch the show but he also navigated the perfect storm arising from Covid-19 when the industry was among the first to be locked-down and the last to reopen.
He subsequently oversaw the decision to bring organisation of the show in-house and the strategic additions of the Social Immersive Entertainment Expo and the London Casino and Gaming Show to the Eag experience. I have often said that Eag is the jewel in Bacta’s Crown and there is no doubt that Bacta has benefited enormously from Martin’s period as Chairman.”
 
Nick Harding noted: “ Eag will once again be packed with innovative new products many of which will be making their industry debuts. These are not random characteristics but are as a result of strategic decisions taken for sound business reasons.
I believe the trust that businesses place in Eag is the perfect tribute to Martin’s tenure as Chairman. For many reasons he will be known as the father of Eag and I look forward to following in his footsteps and continuing the show’s success story.”