YGAM has appointed Emily Tofield as its chief executive, the charity announced. Tofield has held leadership roles across government, higher education, research, media and the not-for-profit sector during a 20-year career.
Tofield’s appointment places a new chief executive in charge of YGAM’s work on gambling and gaming harms among young people.
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The UK Gambling Commission is seeking a chief executive after Andrew Rhodes left in April, with applications due by 23 October, according to the recruitment notice. The role pays £190,000 a year and requires the successful candidate to lead the Illegal Markets programme, deliver a return on HM Treasury’s three-year investment from 2026/27, and oversee domestic reforms and National Lottery regulation.
Two UK MPs have asked the Gambling Commission to explain how it assessed Phil Walker’s suitability as interim chief executive of Allwyn UK. They cited his work with City Gaming and a 2024 personal sanction by the commission; Allwyn defended the appointment, while Game Nation said Walker would step back from his non-executive role from 1 September for the contract’s duration. The commission’s response was not stated.
Andrew Rhodes has joined advisory firm Hawkbridge after leaving Harris Hagan, reportedly. Former Push Gaming chief operating officer Andy Bentley is also listed as a consultant.
The Pools chief executive James Arnold has left the role, reportedly, and Companies House records show his directorship ended on 13 March. He had led the business for more than three years; the report linked the departure to several years of financial difficulty but did not state a reason for his exit.
The UK Gambling Commission said Andrew Rhodes will leave his chief executive post in April, after leading the regulator since 2021. Deputy chief executive Sarah Gardner will serve as acting chief executive while the UKGC searches for a permanent successor; Rhodes’s next role has not been announced.