News
New CEO for GamCare
14 January 2009
GamCare today confirmed the appointment of Andy McLellan as its new Chief Executive. Andy is well known in the sector following his role as Head of Gambling at DCMS and has been acting as strategic consultant to the charity since October 2007. He will take over on 1 February from Geoffrey Godbold, who has been CEO since February 2006.
Announcing the appointment, Chairman of Trustees Anthony Jennens said: “Over the last few years GamCare has greatly expanded its services to meet the demand from people needing advice, help and support with their gambling problems. Our HelpLine now takes more than 40,000 calls a year, our counselling services are spreading throughout the country and we now have the capacity to deliver all of our services online. 2009 will see considerable changes - for us and the gambling industry. The Responsible Gambling Strategy Board will soon be set up, there will be new arrangements for raising and distributing funds from the industry - perhaps through a statutory levy - and the industry itself continues to innovate and expand opportunities for gambling. Andy and I have worked together closely for the last 14 months. His analytical mind, his knowledge of the industry and the workings of DCMS, and his considerable skill and ability in negotiating the Governmental and allied minefields have been invaluable to me. As the new Strategy Board comes into play, it is natural that GamCare should wish to see him continue this excellent work. Fortuitously, Geoffrey’s term of office reaches its natural end at the same time. I have enormously enjoyed working with Geoffrey over the past three years, during which time he has built excellent relationships with the industry as well as sharpening the organisation and professionalism of GamCare. He has also shown his fundraising skills by encouraging significant contributions from the banking and financial sectors. I know that Geoffrey is likely to be taking up a new post in the gambling world in the near future, and I hope he will continue to act as an ambassador for GamCare as well.”
Andy McLellan said: “I am extremely pleased and honoured to be asked to become the new CEO of GamCare. Under Anthony and Geoffrey, GamCare has built a strong national and international reputation as the leading agency for treating problem gambling, due in particular to the talents and commitment of the team in London and their partners around the country. I look forward to building on this and ensuring that GamCare plays its full part in designing and delivering a comprehensive strategy of research, education, public awareness and treatment for problem gamblers and all those affected by them.” Geoffrey Godbold said: “My three years as CEO of GamCare have been extremely enjoyable and satisfying, and during this time our funding requirement has grown from £750,000 to £3.4million. I am pleased to be leaving to Andy a professional and committed organisation ready to take on the new challenges. I am grateful to the Chairman, Trustees and staff for all the help and support they have given me, and I look forward to bringing my know ledge and experience of fundraising and problem gambling to bear in a new role in the sector in the near future.”
Press contacts: Eileen Kinghan, GamCare 020 7801 7003, eileen@gamcare.org.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. GamCare, established in 1997, is a registered charity and the leading national authority on the provision of counselling, advice and practical help for anyone experiencing or affected by problem gambling. GamCare’s immediate, confidential one-to-one national support services, available 8am to midnight, are the telephone HelpLine (365 days of the year) and NetLine (Monday to Friday). We also deliver free face to face counselling at three locations in London, nationally through a network of Partners, and now OnLine. We train our Partners (experienced addictions counsellors) in treating problem gambling and fund them to deliver free face to face support to anyone who needs it. GamCare is funded indirectly through voluntary contributions from the gambling industry, through the Responsibility in Gambling Trust. Following the failure of RIGT to raise sufficient funds, Government has just launched a consultation into whether funds should be raised by a levy. Please see GamCare's news release.
According to the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007, it is estimated that 0.6% of the UK population (around 300,000 people) are problem gamblers. Considering that each may have a partner, parents and dependents, those affected by problem gambling may number over one million. The Survey, commissioned by the Gambling Commission and prepared and published by the National Centre for Social Research, provides detailed statistics here.
2. Andy McLellan has had over 30 years experience in the Civil Service, working closely with Ministers on policy development and also in front-line operational roles. In the Department for Culture, Media and Sport he was responsible for policy on gambling, the National Lottery, broadcasting and tourism.