The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has officially opened applications for the role of Chief Executive Officer, offering an annual salary of £190,000. The position became available following the departure of Andrew Rhodes in April 2026. Deputy CEO Sarah Gardner has been serving as acting chief executive in the interim. The application window closes on October 23, 2026.
Core Responsibilities and Candidate Profile
- Strategic Mandate: Drive regulatory reforms resulting from the Gambling Act Review, oversee National Lottery operations, and expand enforcement against illegal gambling.
- Budgetary Management: Oversee the deployment of £26 million in funding allocated by HM Treasury over three years specifically to combat black-market gambling operators.
- Key Qualifications: Proven track record in leading complex organizations through digital and technological transformations, coupled with commercial acumen and regulatory experience.
- Requirements: Based in Birmingham on a hybrid working model, with candidates required to obtain UK Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.
Recruitment Timeline
The selection process is structured across four key stages:
- October 23, 2026: Application deadline.
- November 5–13, 2026: Preliminary interviews conducted by executive search firm GatenbySanderson.
- Late November 2026: Candidate due diligence, assessments, and informal discussions.
- December 9, 2026: Final panel interviews and stakeholder engagement exercises.
This executive search follows several recent leadership transitions within the Commission, including the appointment of Ruth Evans as permanent Chair and changes across executive policy and operations roles.
