Katja Tautscher
About Katja Tautscher
Independent director of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. since February 2021; age 53 (as of April 1, 2025). Currently General Counsel of OMV Group (Austrian integrated oil, gas and petrochemical company) since June 2022; prior senior legal and compliance roles at Borealis AG and Scientific Games, plus prior private practice in EU regulatory law. Education and credentials: law degree (University of Vienna), LL.M. (London School of Economics), MBA (INSEAD); admitted to the Austrian bar and as a solicitor in England & Wales .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OMV Group | General Counsel | Jun 2022 – present | Leads group legal; supports senior management and business units |
| Borealis AG | Chief Legal & Compliance Officer; previously General Counsel; Chief Legal & Procurement Officer | 2008 – 2020 (various roles) | Oversaw group legal; accountable for sourcing of goods/services and procurement (2014–2020) |
| Scientific Games Inc. | Assistant General Counsel (EU/UK legal, EU gaming regulatory) | From 2006 (prior to Borealis) | Led EU gaming regulatory work; supervised UK legal operations |
| Austrian/European law firms | Associate and Partner (regulatory, gaming/betting, competition/antitrust) | Prior to 2006 | Focus on regulatory topics including gaming/betting and competition |
| Borealis Agrolinz Melamine GmbH | Supervisory Board Member | n/a | Board oversight (date not specified) |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Listed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OMV Petrom S.A. (Romania) | Director | Yes (Bucharest Stock Exchange) | OMV subsidiary; energy sector |
| OMV Downstream GmbH (Austria) | Chairwoman | No (subsidiary) | Downstream operations |
| OMV Exploration and Production GmbH (Austria) | Chairwoman | No (subsidiary) | Upstream operations |
Board Governance
- Independence: Board determined Ms. Tautscher is independent under NASDAQ rules; six of seven directors are independent. Lead Independent Director: Michael R. Chambrello .
- Committees: Member, Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee (all members independent; Chair: Ira H. Raphaelson). Not on Audit or Compensation .
- Committee scope: Nominating/Governance oversees board composition, governance practices, ESG reporting, third-party policies, and monitors compliance with whistleblowing, insider trading, anti-corruption and conflicts policies .
- Attendance: In FY2024 the Board met 6 times; all directors attended at least 75% of Board and committee meetings on which they served. All directors attended the 2024 virtual annual meeting .
- Committee activity levels (context): Audit (11 meetings, monthly cadence for SOX/GAAP remediation), Compensation (9), Nominating/Governance (4) in 2024 .
| Committee | Role | FY2024 Meetings |
|---|---|---|
| Nominating, Governance and Compliance | Member | 4 |
Fixed Compensation
Program structure for non-employee directors (2024):
- Annual cash retainer: $50,000; Annual RSU award: $100,000; Lead Independent Director add’l $10,000 cash and $10,000 equity; Committee Chair add’l $10,000 cash and $10,000 equity. RSUs granted using a “formula price” ($15.73 for 2024) to determine share count vs. lower grant-date market price ($9.17); vest 25% at grant and 25% on Apr 1, Jul 1, Oct 1; deferral election available .
Actual 2024 compensation (non-employee director):
| Component | Amount ($) |
|---|---|
| Annual Cash Retainer | 50,000 |
| Stock Awards (grant-date fair value) | 58,294 |
| Total | 108,294 |
Notes:
- As of December 31, 2024, all outstanding RSUs held by directors were vested (settlement may be deferred) .
Performance Compensation
| Metric | Weight | Target | Result/Payout | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None disclosed for directors | n/a | n/a | n/a | Director RSUs are time-based, not performance-based |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Entity | Type | Interlock/Network Note |
|---|---|---|
| OMV Petrom S.A. | Public energy company | External directorship (Romania) |
| Scientific Games (prior employer) | Gaming supplier | Multiple current INSE leaders/directors have substantial prior Scientific Games roles (A. Lorne Weil, M. Chambrello, S. Saferin, B. Pierce), indicating strong industry network overlap; Ms. Tautscher previously worked there in EU legal/regulatory |
Potential implications: Deep gaming-industry network aids insight but creates perceived interlocks; however, no related-party transactions disclosed involving Ms. Tautscher .
Expertise & Qualifications
- Legal/regulatory leadership across energy, chemicals, and gaming; European regulatory specialization in gaming/betting, competition law .
- General Counsel and C-suite compliance experience (OMV, Borealis); procurement oversight background .
- Education: Law (University of Vienna), LL.M. (LSE), MBA (INSEAD); admitted in Austria; solicitor in England & Wales .
Equity Ownership
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Total beneficial ownership (as of Mar 28, 2025 record date) | 30,870 shares; <1% of class |
| Components | Includes 28,883 shares subject to vested RSUs and 1,987 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days |
| RSUs held at FY2024 year-end (director aggregate) | 26,896 RSUs (all vested at FY-end) |
| Director stock ownership guideline | 5x annual cash retainer (non-employee directors) |
| Hedging/pledging | Policy prohibits margin purchases, short sales, and derivatives; long-term hedges require pre-clearance; no hedges approved to date |
Governance Assessment
Strengths
- Independent director with robust EU legal and compliance background; sits on governance/compliance committee that monitors ESG, insider trading, anti-corruption, conflicts, and third-party policies .
- Solid engagement: at least 75% attendance; all directors attended the annual meeting .
- Alignment: director equity grants and 5x retainer ownership guideline; RSU vesting (and optional deferral) supports long-term orientation .
Watch items / RED FLAGS
- Broader governance context: INSE underwent restatements, extensive SOX/GAAP remediation (Audit Committee met monthly in 2024); SEC subpoena in March 2024 related to restatements with investigation concluded January 2025. These corporate remediation dynamics heighten oversight expectations for the governance committee where she serves .
- Industry interlocks: Multiple directors/executives with deep Scientific Games ties; while potentially beneficial for expertise, investors may scrutinize independence of thought and network influence. No related-party transactions disclosed for Ms. Tautscher .
No conflicts disclosed for Ms. Tautscher
- Related party disclosures identify compensation/relationships involving members of the Weil family and a stepson of a director, but no transactions or relationships are disclosed involving Ms. Tautscher .