London 8 July: GambleAware, the leading charity and strategic commissioner of gambling harms prevention and treatment services in Great Britain has appointed Professor Sian Griffiths CBE as its new Chair of Trustees. 

Professor Griffiths CBE brings considerable experience and public health insight to the role, having held the position of Deputy Chair of trustees at GambleAware and Chair of the charity’s Performance and Delivery Committee for several years. In addition, she was previously President of the UK Faculty of Public Health, Associate Non-executive Director of Public Health England and Chair of the Public Health England Global Health Committee. She is also currently a Non-executive Director for Public Health Wales. 
The appointment comes as Baroness Lampard CBE steps down to lead the Lampard Inquiry investigating mental health inpatient deaths in Essex. 

Baroness Lampard CBE joined GambleAware, then known as the Responsible Gambling Trust, as Chair in 2016. In this role she oversaw the charity’s move to an entirely independent Board of trustees, with leaders from across the NHS and public health and strong, meaningful engagement with the gambling harms lived experience community. 

During her tenure, Baroness Lampard CBE was instrumental in calling for the introduction of a statutory levy on the gambling industry to replace the voluntary funding system. A shift which has now been committed to by the UK government in its 2023 Gambling White Paper, with the inclusion of proposals for a new statutory funding model. Alongside this, Baroness Lampard CBE has also led the charity through the expansion of the gambling harms system in Great Britain, in partnership with the UK government, NHS and others within the third sector, through the recommissioning of the National Gambling Support Network. 

Baroness Lampard CBE said: “I am pleased to be succeeded by Siân and to be leaving the charity in such safe hands. Gambling harm can affect anyone. From working with and speaking to individuals from the lived experience community I know how much of an impact gambling harm can have on individuals and wider society. This is why it is fundamental that statutory funding is provided to address the issue. I am proud of what we have achieved and it has been a pleasure to see how the charity and wider gambling harms system has grown over the past eight years. I wish GambleAware and Siân all the best for the future.”

Having been Deputy Chair for GambleAware since 2018, Professor Griffiths CBE has played a vital part in ensuring gambling is seen alongside other major public health issues. 

Professor Griffiths CBE said: “I am delighted to accept this appointment and to continue working with GambleAware to ensure gambling harms are viewed as a serious public health issue. Due to the deeply stigmatised nature of gambling harm, it can be difficult for people to reach out for help. This is why it is so important we take a public health approach, one which recognises the wider societal influences whilst focussing on early intervention and prevention activity. Alongside this, GambleAware’s independence from the industry remains paramount and is demonstrated across all areas of the charity’s work. I look forward to continuing these efforts with my public health colleagues and experts within GambleAware Board as we transition to a new statutory funding model.” 

Baroness Lampard CBE will step down on 18th July and Professor Griffiths CBE will start as Chair of trustees with immediate effect.