'There is a huge amount of work ahead of us' - Grainne Hurst takes over as BGC chief executive

The new chief executive of gambling industry body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has committed to deliver the outstanding proposals from the previous government's white paper, as well as securing stability for the sector.

Grainne Hurst was speaking as she took over the role on Monday following nearly ten years with Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain, including as group corporate affairs director.

She was previously a special adviser to the UK government and studied at King's College London and Queen Mary University in London.

Hurst succeeds Michael Dugher, who will now become chair of the organisation as part of a restructure of the group's senior leadership.

This summer's general election has slowed implementation of the reforms set out in the gambling white paper published last year such as the proposed statutory levy to address problem gambling, an ombudsman for improved consumer redress and new stake limits for slots, although other measures including affordability checks and sports sponsorship codes are in train.

Hurst said: "This is a crucial time for the BGC's diverse and growing membership, which supports 110,000 jobs, and caters to millions of customers who enjoy a bet each month in the UK.

"There is a huge amount of work ahead of us, not least delivering and implementing the outstanding proposals outlined in last year's white paper, many of which our members called for."

She added: "While achieving regulatory certainty after a period of so much change is top of my priority list, it is important for our industry to focus on stability, growth and diversity across the sector. That work must be underpinned by strong data and guided throughout by the voice of the everyday consumer."

Hurst said she was looking forward to working with Dugher, who has been acting chair of the organisation since Brigid Simmonds stepped down in April.

Michael Dugher takes over as chair of the Betting and Gaming Council

Dugher said: "On behalf of the entire BGC membership, I'd like to warmly welcome Grainne as she officially starts as CEO.

"She brings years of experience and knowledge in the regulated industry, together with a bold vision and strategy to refresh and reset the organisation going forward."

What is in Grainne Hurst's in-tray

• Implementation of the remaining measures from the white paper including the problem gambling statutory levy, the new gambling ombudsman and new stake limits for slots.
• The introduction of "light-touch" financial risk checks and the ongoing pilot of so-called "frictionless" affordability checks.
• Establishing relations with the new Labour government.
• The fallout from the Gambling Commission's Gambling Survey for Great Britain and its estimates for problem gambling levels.
• Dealing with renewed calls for further restrictions on gambling advertising and sponsorship in sport.
• Racing's desire for the BGC to return to negotiations about levy reform.

Read these next:

Grainne Hurst to become the new chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council 

Brigid Simmonds to step down as BGC chair with Michael Dugher to take over 

BGC chief: 'The government has brought this on itself. It's not a neutral observer - it's the architect' 

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