GREF Restructures Its Board Following Departures in the UK and France

The Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF) has restructured its Board of Directors, motivated by recent departures and new high-profile appointments in the European regulatory environment. Following the departure of Tim Miller from the UK Gambling Commission, he also resigned as Treasurer and member of the GREF Board. Similarly, Jean-Michel Costes leaves the Board after stepping down from the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) in France. The organization has officially expressed gratitude to both professionals and welcomed Ian Angus and Olivia Petit to their key roles within the agency.

Key Changes: Departures from the UK Gambling Commission and the ANJ

Tim Miller, who served as Treasurer of the GREF Board and was a significant figure for several years, submitted his resignation after leaving his position at the UK Gambling Commission. The official statement highlights his "significant contribution through his experience, leadership, and commitment to international regulatory cooperation." The forum publicly extended its gratitude for his dedicated service and wished him future success.

Jean-Michel Costes, until now a member of the GREF Board and former member of the Board of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) of France, also resigned from his position. GREF's acknowledgment of Costes reinforces the forum’s practice of maintaining an active dynamic and being receptive to movements within national regulatory bodies.

Ian Angus Appointed New Treasurer of GREF

The Treasurer position will be assumed by Ian Angus, Director of Policies at the UK Gambling Commission. Angus brings relevant experience in gaming regulation and public policy design, aligning with the forum's objectives of regulatory cooperation and development. The GREF Board highlighted the expectation of benefiting from his vision and knowledge accumulated in the sector, particularly regarding transnational challenges and emerging regulatory frameworks at the European level.

The Forum expects to "leverage the knowledge and strategic vision" of Ian Angus to strengthen regulatory cooperation, according to GREF's official statement.

Olivia Petit Takes On the Secretarial Role: Academic Profile for New Perspectives

Along with Angus' appointment, GREF announced the designation of Olivia Petit as Secretary of the Board. Petit is a Professor at KEDGE Business School and an expert in research on consumer behavior, digital environments, and emerging technologies. Her incorporation represents a multidisciplinary approach to policy development and best regulatory practices, opening the forum to broader perspectives on the challenges of digital transformation and the impact on online gambling consumption in Europe.

The GREF Board expressed its interest in working together with both new members to reinforce the organization’s mission to promote dialogue, cooperation, and knowledge exchange among gaming regulators in Europe and other regions.

Implications for Governance and Regulatory Collaboration in Europe

These changes in the Board structure underscore GREF's adaptable nature in response to personnel movements within national regulatory agencies. The turnover has implications for GREF's international cooperation agenda, in an environment marked by constant regulatory adjustments and the diversification of professional profiles in leadership positions.

The recent appointments bolster GREF’s strategy of integrating public management experiences and academic profiles, which could translate into greater dynamism in collaborative initiatives among members and in promoting common standards in the European gaming sector.

GREF reaffirms its commitment to its mission of facilitating dialogue among gaming regulators, addressing challenges arising from new technologies, and consolidating the forum’s position as a reference for exchanging best practices for the pan-European market.