UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes to take commercial gambling sector role
The news – reported by Sky News yesterday (5 March) – confirms widespread rumours that Rhodes was planning on taking up a position in the commercial gambling sector following his exit as CEO.
Industry sources told NEXT.io last month that Rhodes, appointed in 2022, was planning on taking up a role as a consultant with a gambling law firm, with the contacts confirming Hawkbridge as his destination this morning.
The rumours, sources suggested, date from at least three months ago – prior to the official February announcement confirming his imminent exit from the Gambling Commission.
According to Sky News journalist Mark Kleinman, the Welsh civil servant has been in talks with new advisory firm Hawkbridge, which was launched by specialist gaming lawyers Harris Hagan last month.ER
When contacted by NEXT.io, the regulator confirmed that Rhodes “is going to work within the wider sector and has been open with us about his plans”.
Multiple sources pointed to the sudden nature of Rhodes’ departure, suggesting that he may miss out on his final salary pension as a result. He is due to begin at Hawkbridge on 1 May, without gardening leave.
Separately, ongoing litigation between the Gambling Commission and Richard Desmond’s company Northern & Shell about the probity of the Fourth National Lottery licence award has been highlighted as a significant liability for the regulator that has already led to it burning through its cash reserves.
One source, who spoke to NEXT.io on the condition of anonymity, alleged Rhodes had been “on the way out” for some time, having grown dissatisfied with the 2025 Budget, as well as the Commission’s lack of funds.
“Ironically, it’s quite a gamble,” said one industry source, arguing it represents something of an unusual move for a civil servant.
Conflict of interest?
Gambling campaigners and critical industry voices have taken to social media to criticise the move, which they characterise as posing difficult conflict of interest questions.
Addressing the matter, a Gambling Commission spokesperson said the regulator has taken proactive steps to mitigate these concerns.
They added: “Andrew has stepped back from any duties which might present risks of a conflict of interest. These will be covered by Sarah Gardner, Deputy Chief Executive and other members of the Commission’s Executive team.”
The chief executive meanwhile will be bound by confidentiality obligations and post-employment restrictions, including limits on the use of confidential information and on engagement with matters connected to his previous responsibilities.
The spokesperson continued: “These restrictions are designed to prevent conflicts of interest and protect the integrity of the Commission’s work. These apply to all employees.”
“It’s just such a bad look for the industry,” one source told NEXT.io, highlighting that if major operators were involved in the decision to offer Rhodes the position, it certainly was not the result of any kind of collective action by the sector.
The source added: “This will be used to allege undue influence by the industry on policymakers. I think there’s some reputational damage from this.”
Sources highlighted Rhodes’ early exit comes as part of a trend of instability in UKGC leadership, pointing out the chair Charles Counsell is also acting only in an interim capacity.
Rhodes’ predecessor Neil McArthur resigned in August 2021. While his resignation officially came due to the beginning of the Gambling Act Review, some observers linked that development to the collapse of the Commission-licensed Football Index, which occurred earlier in the year.
https://next.io/news/regulation/ukgc-andrew-rhodes-commercial-gambling-role/