UK Gambling Commission opens search for new CEO at £190,000 salary after Andrew Rhodes' exit

The UK Gambling Commission has launched a formal search for a new chief executive officer, following the departure of Andrew Rhodes. The regulator is offering an annual salary of £190,000, according to an advertisement on the government's Civil Service Jobs website.

The UK confirmed Rhodes' exit in April this year, after he had led the authority for almost five years. He said at the time that he had enjoyed his tenure and was leaving with confidence in the organisation. He later joined Hawkbridge, an international strategic advisory firm focused on the gambling sector.

The successor will be based in Birmingham, where the UKGC has its headquarters, although hybrid working arrangements are also mentioned in the listing. The Commission describes its ideal candidate as an experienced senior leader with a record of managing complex organisations and driving change. Knowledge of the UK gambling market is desirable, and candidates coming from the industry must be able to show they can remain impartial in regulatory matters.

The UKGC says the new CEO will lead it through a significant period of change. Responsibilities include delivering the regulator's new programme against the black market and overseeing continued reform of the UK gambling sector. The role also involves maintaining the relationship with the government and delivering a return on HM Treasury's three-year investment in the Illegal Markets programme.

Applications can be submitted until October 23.

The vacancy comes amid wider changes at the regulator. Executive director Tim Miller also left the UKGC and set up his own consultancy last month. Earlier this year, the Commission advertised for a head of illegal markets, a post tied to the same enforcement priority.