The Gambling Commission has made another change to its executive leadership with the appointment of a senior Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) official.

Sarah Fox will join the Commission on secondment from DCMS, where she has led the Gambling and Lotteries team for the past four years.

She will oversee the regulator’s Policy, Research and Statistics functions, as well as National Lottery regulation.

Chaotic times at the Commission

The appointment follows recent changes to the Commission’s senior leadership, including the departure of Executive Director Tim Miller.

Miller’s exit last month followed that of the Commission’s former Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Rhodes, in February.

The UK’s gambling industry is going through a very turbulent period.

Increases in taxation due to the November budget and the planned implementation of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) are just two of the industry’s hotly debated topics right now.

To top this off, the national regulator is currently without a permanent CEO, Executive Director or Chair.

This has not gone down well with the Commission’s critics, particularly as it presses on with imposing FRAs. Whether Fox’s appointment will bring about more criticism or some much-needed optimism remains to be seen.

Sarah Gardner, Acting Chief Executive at the Commission, said: “I am delighted to welcome Sarah to the Commission.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with Sarah’s experience joining us. The Commission has an ambitious strategy so having someone who is already working across the gambling and lotteries sector will be invaluable.

“Sarah’s role will be a vital one as we complete the final stages of the implementation of the white paper, assess the impacts of these changes, and continue to ensure the interests of National Lottery players are protected and that returns to Good Causes are maximised.”

Fox’s previous roles

During her time at DCMS, Fox is said to have played a central role in delivering the Gambling Act review and subsequent white paper reforms, alongside overseeing the transition to the fourth National Lottery licence.

Her portfolio also included policy responsibility for society lotteries and the horse racing sector.

Fox brings more than two decades of Civil Service experience, having held operational, strategic and policy roles across the Home Office, Department of Health and Social Care, Cabinet Office, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and DCMS.

She also serves as DCMS’ senior disability champion, supporting the department’s staff network and promoting disability inclusion through her own lived experience.

“Over the last four years I’ve seen first-hand the work of the Commission, and the expertise, talent and enthusiasm of its teams. So much has been achieved over a time that has been significant for the gambling sector and everyone with an interest in it,” said Fox.

“The opportunity to cross over to the Commission and help the team continue making gambling safer, fairer and crime free is one I am really excited to take.”

Fox’s portfolio does show some semblance of experience within the sector. Another gripe for the Commission’s critics has been that its team lacks gambling industry knowhow.

Though Fox may not have worked directly for a gambling company, she has spent time within the industry – specifically the regulation of it via her time at DCMS.

The government department is another institution surrounded by rumours of change.

However, it has been confirmed that Lisa Nandy will continue to lead the DCMS under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. 

Baroness Fiona Twycross, who heads up the recently-created Illegal Gambling Taskforce, will also remain as a member of the DCMS, though it has not been confirmed whether she will continue as Gambling Minister.

Fox’s appointment comes in the midst of a whirlwind period for UK gambling, which, it is fair to say, is not showing any immediate signs of coming to an amicable end.