UK Culture Secretary Appoints Four New Commissioners to UKGC

Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, has appointed four new Commissioners to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) with immediate effect. Terry Babbs, Brian Bannister, Jo Hill and Sir Martin Narey will serve as Commissioners for five years from 30 April 2020.

Terry Babbs is having experiences in both the private and public sectors. Terry is the Senior Independent Director at the General Dental Council, vice-chair of the Investment Committee of Oxfam’s Enterprise Development Programme and a non-executive director of HMRC’s Valuation Office Agency.

Brian Bannister is currently the Executive Director for Strategic Insight and Influence at The Law Society of England and Wales. Brian previously led global communications for KPMG and was also PwC’s UK Director of Communications for six years. Prior to that, he was PwC’s UK Director of Public Affairs.

Jo Hill is the Executive Director of Strategy and Risk at The Pensions Regulator. She was previously Director of Market Intelligence, Data and Analysis at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and also held a number of senior roles in the banking and insurance sectors. Jo is also a Trustee of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.

Sir Martin Narey was the Director-General of the Prison Service of England and Wales for seven years and also headed the Probation Service for a three-year term. After leaving the Civil Service in 2005, Sir Martin became the Chief Executive of Barnardo’s until 2011. He is also a Government advisor on children’s social care and is the chair of the My Foster Family charity.

“Terry, Brian, Jo and Sir Martin bring a wealth of valuable expertise to the Board of Commissioners. Their collective experience will help us as we look to implement further protections for consumers and strongly regulate what is a fast-moving and innovative industry. I’d like to welcome them to the Commission and look forward to working closely with them,” Bill Moyes, Chair of the Gambling Commission, said.