UKGC chief executive vacancy offers c.£190,000 and closes 23 October 2026

The UK Gambling Commission is recruiting a permanent chief executive on a salary of around £190,000 per year; applications for the post close on 23 October 2026. The role is based in Birmingham, carries an employer pension contribution of 28.97% under the Civil Service scheme, and requires regular travel including to London.

UKGC chief executive vacancy: key practical details

The vacancy follows Andrew Rhodes’ announced departure; he was due to leave on 30 April 2026. Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner has been acting chief executive since Rhodes stepped back from the role. The commission published the appointment terms on its recruitment microsite and has instructed the executive search firm GatenbySanderson to handle applications and to take up references on the preferred candidate at the final interview stage.

The post is permanent and office attendance is set at an average of two days a week. The job description states the role will require the post-holder to travel nationally and internationally as required. The commission also specifies that the chief executive will be the organisation’s Accounting Officer.

Salary, benefits and contractual points for applicants

The published remuneration package lists a salary of circa £190,000 per annum and an employer pension contribution of 28.97% under the Civil Service pension scheme. The advert confirms the post is Birmingham-based and that staff are expected in the office an average of two days each week.

GatenbySanderson will manage the application process and take up references for the preferred candidate during the final interview stage. The recruitment microsite sets out the terms of appointment and the commission says interview panel membership may change.

What the job covers: delivery priorities and duties

The person specification and job description identify three delivery priorities for the chief executive:

• implementing the Gambling Act Review;

• running the Illegal Markets programme and delivering a return on HM Treasury’s three-year investment from 2026-27; and

• overseeing regulation of the National Lottery.

The commission also makes clear that candidates with industry backgrounds must demonstrate the ability to act impartially and to maintain public confidence. The chief executive’s role as Accounting Officer brings formal responsibilities for corporate governance and stewardship of public funds.

"One of the most significant leadership roles in public regulation," Ruth Evans wrote in the recruitment welcome message.

The interview panel and decision process

The published membership of the final interview panel comprises:

• Ruth Evans, Chair of the Gambling Commission;

• Emma Ward, Director General at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS);

• Commissioner Charles Counsell;

• Natasha Harris, Executive Director People Services; and

• one independent member.

The commission cautions that panel members may change. GatenbySanderson will undertake reference checks on the preferred candidate at the final stage. The recruitment microsite sets the closing date for applications as 23 October 2026.

Context: leadership transition and interim arrangements

The UK Gambling Commission announced Andrew Rhodes’ departure on 9 February 2026, stating he would leave on 30 April 2026 to take up a new role. The regulator said at that time that Sarah Gardner, the deputy chief executive, would step up as Acting Chief Executive to cover the responsibilities Rhodes was stepping back from. The UKGC’s conference speech on 2 October 2026 was delivered by "acting chief executive Sarah Gardner," the regulator noted.

What candidates must demonstrate

The person specification makes impartiality a clear threshold for candidates from the gambling sector. The commission expects evidence that an applicant can sustain public confidence while delivering the three priority programmes listed above. The role’s operational and accounting duties are explicit: the chief executive will manage delivery against the Gambling Act Review, run the Illegal Markets programme with HM Treasury-funded targets for 2026-27, and oversee National Lottery regulation.

What operators and stakeholders should note

Regulated businesses and stakeholders should expect the UK Gambling Commission to maintain continuity of executive oversight while filling the permanent post. The commission’s stated priorities — the Gambling Act Review, Illegal Markets programme and National Lottery regulation — signal the areas that will remain front of agenda for the incoming chief executive. Industry contacts will watch the appointment process and the final candidate’s background on impartiality and public-sector governance.

How to apply and timeline

Applications close on 23 October 2026. The recruitment firm handling the process is GatenbySanderson; reference checks for the preferred candidate will be taken at the final interview stage and the commission notes panel membership may be subject to change.