Ruth Evans has been named the new chair of the Gambling Commission, succeeding Charles Counsell, according to an announcement from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on Monday. Evans, who will start her five-year term on September 30, previously led Stop Scams UK, an initiative aimed at uniting banks, technology firms, and telecom providers to tackle payment fraud.
Counsell had been at the helm of the Commission since February 2025, following the exit of Marcus Boyle in January of the previous year. Evans is recognized for her considerable experience in financial crime prevention and public protection, with past leadership roles that include chairing the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) and the Bar Standards Board, as well as serving on the General Medical Council as a lay member.
Additionally, she has held the role of non-executive director at the Serious Fraud Office, where she was instrumental in the creation of a voluntary industry code for reimbursing victims of authorized push payment (APP) scams, established in 2018.
As she steps into this pivotal position, Evans will be crucial in advancing the Commission’s new strategy to combat illegal gambling, as outlined by Counsell before his departure. The Commission is also in the process of finalizing measures from the review of the Gambling Act's white paper.
Expressing her commitment to improving online safety, Evans emphasized the importance of “proportionate regulation with partnership and shared responsibility” among regulators, industry players, and technology companies.
DCMS Secretary of State Lisa Nandy remarked on Evans' appointment, stating that she begins her chairmanship during a crucial time, focusing on sustaining a thriving industry while ensuring essential protections to prevent harm.
Evans takes up her role amidst other changes at the Gambling Commission, including the departure of policy and research director Tim Miller after a decade-long tenure.
