Ruth Evans has been named as the new permanent chair of the Gambling Commission, taking up the position on 30 September for a five-year term.
The appointment brings an end to an extended period without a permanent chair at the regulator, following Marcus Boyle’s departure from the role in January 2025.
Charles Counsell had been serving in an interim capacity since Boyle’s exit, but will now hand over the reins to Evans as the organisation moves toward more settled leadership.
Evans brings a distinguished background in public service and consumer protection, having founded Stop Scams UK and previously chaired the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.
She has also served as chair of the Bar Standards Board and spent nine years as a lay member of the General Medical Council, where she chaired its Standards and Ethics Committee.
Her non-executive roles have included a position at the Serious Fraud Office, and she has chaired an advisory group at the Financial Conduct Authority, giving her broad financial regulatory experience.
Evans played a central role in combatting financial crime, chairing the steering group that facilitated reimbursement of victims of authorised push payment bank transfer scams.
The appointment was made by Lisa Nandy under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005, with ministers supported throughout the process by an advisory assessment panel.
Evans said: “I am delighted to have been appointed chair of the Gambling Commission at a time when its role in keeping gambling fair, safe and crime-free is more important than ever.”
She also outlined her broader vision for the role, adding: “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.”
Evans has acknowledged the contributions of her predecessor, saying of Counsell: “He has been a passionate and diligent chair, and we owe him our gratitude.”
Her arrival will be seen as a significant step forward by those who had expressed concern that a leadership vacuum was developing at the Gambling Commission following the absence of permanent appointments in both chair and CEO roles.
