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The Secretary of State has confirmed the appointment of seven Commissioners to oversee the governance and regulatory oversight of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
As announced by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS), the Gambling Commission welcomes the appointments of Charles Counsell, Helen Dodds, Sheree Howard, and Claudia Mortimore as new Commissioners, who will serve a five-year term.
The board of the UKGC will be further strengthened by the appointment of Lloydette Bai-Marrow, Helen Philips, and David Rossington as Commissioners for terms of four years.
Charles Counsell (OBE) is a policy expert on public finances, who previously served as the Chief Executive of The Pensions Regulator from 2019 to 2023.
DCMS noted: “Throughout his career, including previous roles as CEO of the Money Advice Service, he has concentrated on implementing large change programmes and strengthening stakeholder relationships.”
Acclaimed international lawyer, Helen Dodds, currently serves on the board of the Human Tissue Authority, the St John’s Eye Hospital Group, and as a Director of LegalUK. DCMS highlighted Dodds’ extensive career in settling dispute resolutions in both private and public sectors.
The Commission’s legal oversight is further strengthened by criminal law expert Claudia Mortimore, a veteran executive of the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office, who has prosecuted high-profile legal cases in drugs, tax, and money-laundering offences.
A 25-year executive in corporate finance, Sheree Howard serves as the current executive director of Risk and Compliance for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Alongside her professional career, she has dedicated over a decade as a Governor and Chair for a Special Needs School and offers pro bono counsel to various charities.
An expert in public health and the management of non-profit organisations, Helen Phillips is the current Chair of NHS Professionals Ltd and the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Phillips has actively participated in governance and oversight roles, including serving as an independent Chair of the Legal Services Board, a Non-Executive Director at Social Work England, in addition to holding positions in higher education, schools, and the water industry, showcasing versatility and commitment to public service.
Lloydette Bai-Marrow is an economic crime lawyer and the Founding Partner of Parametric Global Consulting. She serves as the Chair of Spotlight on Corruption, is affiliated with several anti-corruption and advocacy organisations, and co-founded the Black Women in Leadership Network (BWIL) to promote black women in leadership roles.
David Rossington (CB) is a distinguished UK civil servant, who has worked on transformation projects for DCMS and other departments.
Since retiring, Rossington has actively contributed to various committees and charities, including serving as Deputy Chair of the Advisory Committee on National Records and Archives, and holding treasurer roles at Stoll and Arts at the Old Fire Station.
Commissioners appointed to the Gambling Commission will receive an annual remuneration of £14,160, with these appointments being conducted in compliance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.
None of the appointed individuals have declared any significant political activity within the past five years as defined by the Governance Code.
The UKGC continues the consultation phase of the Gambling Review. The latest developments saw the Commission launch a stakeholder response on the White Paper’s recommendation to adopt a new £100m mandatory levy on problem gambling research education and treatment (RET), financed by industry operators and overseen by the NHS.
