The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has formally initiated its search for a new chief executive following the departure of Andrew Rhodes in April. The regulator has advertised the £190,000 a year leadership position on the government Civil Service Jobs platform, setting an application deadline of October 23.
Directing regulatory reform and tackling illegal markets
The successful candidate will be tasked with steering the Commission through a significant period of change. Key duties include implementing measures stemming from the Gambling Act Review, overseeing National Lottery regulation, and managing vital relationships across government, law enforcement, and international regulatory bodies. A major priority for the incoming chief executive will be developing and delivering the Commission’s Illegal Markets program to disrupt unlicensed gambling activity, fulfilling a return on HM Treasury three year investment starting in 2026/27.
Intriguingly, knowledge of the UK gambling sector is classified as desirable rather than mandatory. The job advertisement explicitly stipulates that candidates possessing direct gambling industry background must prove their absolute impartiality and capacity to sustain public confidence. Essential selection criteria include managing complex organizations, driving digital and data transformation, exercising commercial and financial judgment, and demonstrating resilience under intense public scrutiny.
Bringing leadership stability to the Commission
The recruitment drive comes on the heels of notable leadership shifts within the regulator. Executive director Tim Miller followed former chief Andrew Rhodes by leaving for the private sector in September, prompting the government to seek a stabilizing force at the top. This process builds on the appointment of Ruth Evans as permanent chair at the end of September. Recruitment consultancy GatenbySanderson is managing the rigorous selection process, which features preliminary interviews, psychometric tests, media exercises, staff engagement sessions, and a final panel interview.
