SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The board of GambleAware has completed its executive search after confirming that Zoë Osmond will be promoted as new CEO of the gambling harm-prevention charity.
Osmond, who currently serves as GambleAware’s Communications and Engagement Director, will replace incumbent Marc Etches, whose tenure as CEO finishes in March.
GambleAware highlighted Osmond’s outstanding results in spearheading the charity’s multi-million pound safer gambling and treatment campaigns, expanding the charity’s support network across the UK.
Furthermore, Osmond was branded as the optimal candidate to lead GambleAware having successfully promoted the treatment and behavioural complexities of problem gambling to government, media, academia and wider business stakeholders.
“In the past two and a half years that I and trustees have worked with Zoë, she has demonstrated to us that she fits the criteria we are looking for perfectly,” stated Kate Lampard CBE, Chair of GambleAware.
“Her knowledge and experience of GambleAware means she can hit the ground running, something that is of particular importance when starting a leadership role during a pandemic.
“Zoë has demonstrated her ability to work with a wide range of subject matter experts and her experience of transforming a charity, building businesses, and leading change will be instrumental in taking GambleAware to the next stage in its development.”
Prior to leading GambleAware’s national media campaigns, Osmond held the role of Chief Executive for the National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS) – a charity that supports people working in the media and advertising industry.
As CEO, Osmond will be tasked with overseeing the distribution of GambleAware’s £40 million ‘central fund’ to national partners combatting problem gambling harms, treatment and prevention as well as providing further educational services.
2021 will see GambleAware participate in the government’s generational review of the 2005 Gambling Act – aiming to establish the strongest of industry codes protecting national consumers, minors and at-risk audiences.
“GambleAware is at an exciting moment in its history, and over the past 10 years, Marc Etches has done a phenomenal job in leading the charity to this point,” Osmond stated.
“It is a critical time for the gambling sector and the recent pledge of up to £100 million from the gambling industry means this is a significant time to shape and drive forward GambleAware’s vital work and develop its own expertise.
“I am excited by the prospect of transformation and the opportunities now available to GambleAware to work with other organisations to prevent gambling harm and I look forward to taking on the challenge.”
