The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced on Monday that Ruth Evans will take over as the new full-time chair of the Gambling Commission, succeeding Charles Counsell who stepped down. Counsell led the Commission starting in February 2025, having taken over from Marcus Boyle following his departure in January of the same year.
Evans, who is currently the chair of Stop Scams UK, an initiative she established in 2019 aimed at uniting banks, technology firms, and telecom companies to combat payment fraud, will officially start her five-year term on September 30. She brings a wealth of experience in public protection and financial crime prevention, as noted by the DCMS.
Her extensive background includes leadership positions at the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), the Bar Standards Board, and she has previously served as a lay member of the General Medical Council. Additionally, Evans contributed to the Serious Fraud Office as a non-executive director and led a steering group that developed a voluntary industry code initiated in 2018 for reimbursing victims of authorised push payment (APP) scams.
As the Gambling Commission prepares for significant changes, Evans will play a crucial role in the implementation of a new strategy focused on addressing illegal gambling, following Counsell's remarks before his departure. The Commission aims to solidify measures outlined in the subsequent white paper from the Gambling Act review.
Evans emphasized her dedication to improving "online safety" through what she calls “proportionate regulation with partnership and shared responsibility” among regulators, industry stakeholders, and technology companies. DCMS Secretary of State Lisa Nandy highlighted the importance of Evans's appointment, stating, "She becomes chair at this incredibly important time, supporting a sustainable, thriving industry with the essential protections needed to prevent harm."
This transition comes amidst a wider reshuffle within the regulator, with policy and research director Tim Miller also set to leave his post after a decade.
