Mr Rhodes who hails for Neath will confirm a new role in the private sector shortly
Chief executive of regulator the Gambling Commission, Welshman Andrew Rhodes, is standing down from the role. Mr Rhodes, who hails from Neath and is a former registrar at Swansea University, will formally step down at the end of April after nearly five years in the role.
He is taking up a new position in the private sector that will be confirmed shortly.
During his tenure Mr Rhodes led work for the commission implementing the Gambling Act Review, with a strong focus on consumer safeguards. This has included the introduction of financial vulnerability checks, reducing the intensity of online games, and banning potentially harmful marketing offers. He also oversaw the introduction of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, now one of the largest surveys of gambling behaviour in the world, and implementation of the fourth National Lottery licence.
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Mr Rhodes, said:“It has been a privilege to lead the Gambling Commission through such an important period of change. I am proud of the progress we have made to strengthen regulation, improve consumer protections, and ensure gambling is safer and fairer. I leave with confidence in the organisation, its people, and the work still to come.”
Charles Counsell, interim chair of the Gambling Commission, said “Andrew has provided outstanding leadership for nearly five years and leaves a strong legacy. He has led the commission through major reform, strengthened our regulatory approach, and ensured consumer protection has remained at the heart of our work. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Andrew for his dedication and wish him every success in the future.”
The commission will shortly begin the process of recruiting a chief executive for an interim period. Deputy chief executive Sarah Gardner will step up as acting chief executive to cover the areas of work that Andrew will step back from during this transitional period.
















