Former Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes has officially joined Hawkbridge as a principal consultant, marking his first major move since leaving the regulator.
Rhodes departed the UKGC at the end of April 2026, with his exit having been confirmed publicly in early February of the same year.
The Welsh civil servant had led the Gambling Commission since June 2021, bringing nearly five years of regulatory leadership to his new advisory position.
In his new role, Rhodes will advise clients on international regulatory strategy, government and regulatory engagement, and governance and operational standards.
On what lies ahead, Rhodes commented: “The next five years will be more consequential for gambling regulation than many years previous. This brings uncharted challenges for boards, investors and leaders.”
During his tenure at the UKGC, Rhodes oversaw implementation of the Gambling White Paper, which was published under his leadership in 2023 and drew a mixed response from across the industry.
One significant reform introduced during his time was replacing the voluntary funding system for research, education and treatment programmes with a statutory levy, fundamentally changing how gambling harms work is funded in Britain.
The controversial policy to implement financial risk assessments for customers was also initiated under Rhodes, with debate on that issue continuing under acting CEO Sarah Gardner.
Rhodes explained his decision to join Hawkbridge specifically, saying: “I have joined Hawkbridge for a simple reason: there has rarely been a single source of regulatory, commercial and operational advice at such a senior level available to the sector.”
Hawkbridge is a new venture from London-based gambling law firm Harris Hagan, bringing together a senior team across regulatory and commercial disciplines.
Joining Rhodes on the consultancy’s senior team are Bahar Alaeddini, John Hagan, David Whyte and Andy Bentley, each contributing distinct areas of expertise to the firm.
Andy Bentley brings experience from the commercial side of the industry, having previously served as COO at both Push Gaming and the Gauselmann Group, now known as Merkur Group.
David Whyte follows a more regulatory path, having worked at the Gambling Commission for nearly nine years between 2008 and 2017.
Rhodes is notably the first former UKGC CEO to take a high-profile role of this kind within the industry following their departure, distinguishing him from previous incumbents.
Will Prochaska, director of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, raised concerns, asking: “Is it a sign of a healthy democracy that those who are tasked with enforcing regulations can go and work for the sector they regulated within a month of leaving office?”
Alaeddini offered a contrasting view, stating: “His appointment strengthens exactly what Hawkbridge was built for: sharp, pragmatic counsel on the questions that sit above legal advice and beyond commercial diligence.”
