Former registrar and chief operating officer of Swansea University, Andrew Rhodes, has been appointed interim chief executive of the Gambling Commission.
Neath-born Mr Rhodes, who left his role at the university last month after three years, will take up his new position for an 18-month period later this month.
The commission licenses and regulates the gambling industry, including the National Lottery. The interim role was advertised with a salary of up to £150,000 a year.
Mr Rhodes said: “The Gambling Commission is one of the world’s highest profile and most respected regulators so I am delighted to join the team at such an important time. Protecting the public and players from gambling harm will continue to be central to our work and I am looking forward to meeting people from across the industry and those with lived experience to understand the issues and opportunities which lay ahead.
“This is a great time to have the opportunity to work in gambling regulation. The UK Government’s Gambling Act Review represents a fantastic opportunity to deliver real and sustained improvements in the way gambling is provided and regulated. As the regulator we have a unique and important role to play at the forefront of that change.”
Commission chairman Bill Moyes said: “Andrew has a first-class track record of delivery, strong leadership and innovation both in the private sector and in the civil service.
“I have no doubt he will prove to be an exceptional appointment here at the commission and it comes at a time when the spotlight is on gambling regulation and operators. I am looking forward to working closely with Andrew as I prepare to hand over to a new chair in September.”
Th commission’s previous chief executive, Neil McArthur, left his role in March. The Gambling Commission’s board decided to recruit an interim chief executive in order to allow the successor to the current chairman, whose term of office ends later this year, to appoint a permanent chief executive.
Prior to his role in higher education, Mr Rhodes has held senior roles at a range of organisations including Department for Work and Pensions, Food Standards Agency and the DVLA.
