British Gambling Commission appoints Sarah Fox to lead policy, research and National Lottery regulation

Fox will be seconded from the UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

UK.- The British Gambling Commission is to second a senior leader from the UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for its Executive Team. Sarah Fox will lead the regulator’s Policy and Research and Statistics functions as well as National Lottery regulation.

The announcement follows a series of changes in the Gambling Commission’s leadership, which have included the departures of former CEO Andrew Rhodes and executive director of policy and enforcement Tim Miller.

Fox has led the Gambling and Lotteries Team at the DCMS for four years. That role included covering the publication and implementation of the 2023 Gambling White Paper, the change in lottery operator from Camelot to Allwyn under the fourth National Lottery Licence, and policy oversight for areas such as society lotteries and horse racing.

She has over 23 years’ experience in the civil service including operational, strategic and policy roles in the Home Office, Department of Health and Social Care, Cabinet Office, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and DCMS.

Sarah Gardner, the Gambling Commission’s acting chief executive, said: “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 said: “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.

“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.”