UKGC Sign Off On Key Post With Ruth Evans Picked As New Chair

Ruth Evans has been confirmed as the new Chair of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) after the appointment was announced by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

More pertinently, the arrival of Evans brings to an end the UKGC’s 20-month search to find a permanent Chair. Charles Counsell had served as the interim Chair since Marcus Boyle vacated the position back in January 2025, and the regulator has been looking to freshen things up at board level.

Ticking things off the priority list

As far as the UKGC is concerned, recruiting a new Chair was a pressing matter, but they have now ticked off a key item on their priority list. The UKGC, however, are still looking for a new Executive Director of Policy & Research, as Tim Miller revealed over the summer that he will step down from the role this month, while a new CEO has yet to be unveiled following news of Andrew Rhodes’ departure in April.

Interestingly, there has been churn at the DCMS with the advent of a new Labour government. Apart from Sarah Fox moving across to the UKGC to pick up Miller’s remit, Vicky Foxcroft recently succeeded Baroness Twycross as the gambling minister.

Nevertheless, Evans, who agreed a five-year term with the UKGC, comes with an esteemed background. Best known for her work funding and chairing Scams UK, she also spent four years at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and chaired the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).

Her career in consumer protection made her a suitable candidate for the position, and she was picked for the post by the DCMS Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy, as per the guidelines set out in the Gambling Act 2005. In taking on the new role, Evans also became the first female Chair of the UKGC.

Evans’ blueprint outlined

Given her track record in combating financial crime, Evans’ credentials need not be questioned. And she has explained how her approach can lead to more meaningful outcomes for consumers and the wider economy.

She said:

“Throughout my career in consumer protection, I have seen that the best outcomes are achieved through effective collaboration between regulators, industry, and the technology sector.

“I look forward to working with the Commission to encourage online safety for UK citizens that strengthen consumer protections while supporting a responsible, innovative and sustainable gambling sector.

“By combining proportionate regulation with partnership and shared responsibility, we can build greater public confidence and create lasting benefits for consumers and the wider economy.”

Navigating a bold new era

Unsurprisingly, Evans enters the UKGC at a time when the gambling sector has been trying to buffet strong headwinds. The UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has already pledged to curtail the rise of retail betting shops popping up on high streets.

Meanwhile, the UKGC’s financial risk assessments (FRAs) policy has come under attack from a wide range of industry stakeholders, while fears haven’t subsided about the rise of black market sites.

On top of that, the increase in remote gaming duty (RGD) paid on online casino bets doubled from 21% to 40% of gross gambling yield (GGY) in April, exerting further financial pressure on operators.

A sweet deal?

Judging by salary, UKGC Chairs are well remunerated, earning £85,000 per year in exchange for two days of work. While this would suggest a sweet deal, Evans will be mindful of the negative backdrop facing the gambling sector and she will look to shift the balance of power.