Hacksaw Gaming Appoints Julia Waern as New Chief Operating Officer

Hacksaw Gaming is strengthening its leadership ranks with the appointment of Julia Waern as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this pivotal role, Waern assumes responsibility for the studio's operational development and strategic expansion, aiming to support its growing footprint in the highly competitive global iGaming market. The announcement comes as the B2B provider continues to modernize classic gaming categories like scratchcards and online slots with high-end design and mobile-first mechanics.

The new COO will work closely with the existing management team to accelerate content delivery and enhance production workflows. Waern's entry into the role is seen as a move to scale the studio’s internal operations effectively. Hacksaw Gaming is renowned for its lightweight integration technology and engaging math models, which have made its portfolio a staple for top-tier operators worldwide.

Numbers and facts

The leadership team underwent a significant restructuring effective January 1, 2026. The executive management team now consists of Christoffer Källberg (Group CEO), Mikael Rahm (Group CFO), Marcus Cordes (Operational CEO), and Philippa Gregory (Chief Compliance Officer). Mikael Rahm, who joined the group on October 1, 2025, brings extensive experience from his tenure at PwC and executive roles at companies like Bambora and Synsam. He holds 108,922 shares in the company. Meanwhile, Marcus Cordes, the Operational CEO, remains a major stakeholder with over 2.2 million shares.

Julia Waern expressed her enthusiasm regarding the appointment:

"Excited and grateful to take on the role as COO at Hacksaw Studios!" - Julia Waern, Chief Operating Officer at Hacksaw Studios

Background

Hacksaw AB (publ) operates as a B2B technology platform and game development company listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (HACK). The appointment of Waern is part of a broader consolidation of the management team. While Gabriel Fenech (CTO) and Darren Camilleri Mizzi (CLO) retain their roles within Hacksaw Gaming Ltd., the group-level executive team has been streamlined to improve decision-making speed. Philippa Gregory, born in 1992 and holding a Doctor of Laws, remains the Chief Compliance Officer, ensuring the company meets rigorous legal standards across multiple jurisdictions.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the strengthening of Hacksaw Gaming's leadership is a positive sign for the continued availability of high-quality, regulated content. Since Hacksaw works with operators listed on the GGL (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder) whitelist, all games must strictly adhere to the German Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). This means features such as the 1 Euro stake limit per spin, the mandatory 5-second break between rounds, and the absence of autoplay are hardcoded into the localized versions of their games.

Furthermore, access to these titles is regulated via the central OASIS exclusion system and the LUGAS monitoring system, which enforces the cross-operator monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euro. The appointment of an operationally focused COO like Julia Waern suggests that new titles will be delivered more efficiently to the German legal market while ensuring all player protection protocols remain robust and updated.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators holding a GGL license, Waern’s appointment promises a more stable and efficient content pipeline. Hacksaw Gaming’s ability to combine fast integration with modern math models is crucial in the strictly regulated German market. A more efficient operational structure allows the studio to react faster to new regulatory demands from the GGL. Given Hacksaw's experience in various jurisdictions, the team is well-equipped to handle technical requirements like the strict separation between sports betting and virtual slots required under German law.