Ruth Evans appointed as Chair of the Gambling Commission

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has appointed Ruth Evans as Chair of the Gambling Commission for a term of 5 years starting on 30 September 2026.

Ruth Evans

Ruth Evans is a prominent UK regulatory figure and consumer champion, best known today for her role as the Chair of Stop Scams UK. With a career spanning over four decades, she has held high-profile leadership positions across charities, public regulatory bodies, and financial oversight boards, consistently focusing on public protection, consumer rights, and institutional accountability.

Ruth has served as the Chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), where she safeguarded public funds by regulating MPs' pay and expenses. Additionally, she was the first Chair of the Bar Standards Board, spent nine years as a Lay Member of the General Medical Council chairing its Standards and Ethics Committee, and served as a Non-Executive Director for the Serious Fraud Office.

Additionally, she was the first Chair of the Bar Standards Board, spent nine years as a Lay Member of the General Medical Council, part of which was spent chairing its Standards and Ethics Committee, and served as a Non-Executive Director for the Serious Fraud Office.

Today, Ruth is best known for her pioneering work in combatting financial crime and protecting fraud victims. In 2018, she chaired the steering group that delivered a landmark voluntary industry code to reimburse victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) bank transfer scams. She currently serves as the Chair of Stop Scams UK, leading an unprecedented collaboration between major banks, tech companies, and telecoms firms. Ruth has also recently been appointed as Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board.

DCMS Secretary of State Lisa Nandy said:

I am pleased to announce Ruth Evans as the incoming chair of the Gambling Commission. She becomes Chair at this incredibly important time, supporting a sustainable, thriving industry with the essential protections needed to prevent harm.'

I would also like to thank Charles Counsell OBE for his leadership of the Gambling Commission since February 2025. He has been a passionate and diligent Chair, and we owe him our gratitude.

Incoming Chair of the Gambling Commission Ruth 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. 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.'

I look forward to working with the Commission to encourage online safety for UK citizens that strengthen consumer protections while supporting a responsible, innovative and sustainable gambling sector. By combining proportionate regulation with partnership and shared responsibility, we can build greater public confidence and create lasting benefits for consumers and the wider economy.

Charles Counsell OBE, Interim Chair, Gambling Commission, said:

We are delighted to welcome Ruth as the new Chair of the Gambling Commission.  Ruth's regulatory and consumer experience will be invaluable to the Board as we continue our work to make gambling safer, fairer and crime-free.  She joins the Gambling Commission at an important time for the gambling sector and the Commission.  As we develop a new strategy, ramp up our world leading work to tackle illegal gambling and complete our part in the implementation of the Gambling Act Review, Ruth's role will be pivotal in the years ahead.

Under the Gambling Act 2005, the appointment of the Chair is made by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.

Ministers were assisted in their decision making by an Advisory Assessment Panel which included a senior departmental official and a Senior Independent Panel Member approved by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Notes to editors:

• The Chair of the Gambling Commission is remunerated at £85,000 per annum for a time commitment of two days per week.
• This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office's Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
• Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Ruth Evans has not declared any significant political activity.