Sarah Harrison makes surprise Gambling Commission exit

Gambling Commission CEO Sarah Harrison is to leave for a new senior government role after just over two years as head of the UK regulator, it was announced today.

Harrison, who joined the Gambling Commission on 1 October 2015, is to step down from her role at the end of February 2018 and will take up a new position with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The UK’s gambling regulator said its search for a successor was already underway, while the Commission’s chief counsel and executive director, Neil McArther, will be acting chief executive from 28 February 2018.

“The Gambling Commission has set an ambitious agenda and clear priorities for treating customers fairly and making play safer and our new three-year strategy embeds this approach for the future,” chairman of the Commission, Bill Moyes, said.

“Sarah’s impact has been significant in shaping this direction of travel. I and my Board colleagues wish Sarah every success for the future and look forward to continuing to work with her to deliver this agenda over the next few months.”

Sarah Harrison is to leave the Gambling Commission to take up a new position with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Harrison added: “I am proud of the work that all at the Commission have delivered together. I am very confident that as the Commission delivers its new strategy it will go from strength to strength and will continue to make gambling in Britain fairer and safer.”

Harrison replaced Jenny Williams as the Commission’s CEO on 1 October 2015 having previously been senior partner at Ofgem where she led the Sustainable Development Division. She was also previously managing director of corporate affairs and before that communications director.

Prior to joining Ofgem, Harrison was the first chief executive of ICSTIS – the UK industry regulator for premium rate telephone services.