GambleAware hires senior public health leaders in corporate restructure

GambleAware has triggered an “extensive” corporate restructuring process as it looks to deliver on its new five-year organisational strategy focused on public health. The charity, which serves as the chief commissioning entity for research, education and treatment (RET) funding for dealing with gambling-related harm, has confirmed several senior hires. Former NHS commissioner Anna Hargrave has been confirmed as GambleAware’s new chief commissioning officer, having spent 13 years in the health and social care industry. Hargrave’s chief responsibility will be to work with government departments and other external entities as part of efforts to expand the National Gambling Treatment Service. Public Health England (PHE) marketing director Alexia Clifford has also been hired by GambleAware in the newly created role of chief communications officer. In her prior marketing role, Clifford led government public health campaigns in areas including mental health, physical activity, healthy eating and stop smoking campaigns. “These campaigns are recognised as being amongst the very best in the industry,”GambleAware explained. “They have successfully changed behaviour at scale, through audience insight, behavioural science, sophisticated targeting and innovative digital techniques,” the charity added. GambleAware has also hired a new chief operations officer alongside a new research, information and knowledge director, as well as a new head of programme and project management, prevention and evaluation lead and a fundraising and engagement manager. However, the charity has not confirmed the identities of the individuals hired in these positions. The new recruits form part of a new five-year strategic pivot by the charity towards a more public health approach to dealing with the consequences of gambling-related harm. GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond cited the extensive public health background of the new hires as being invaluable to the charity. “We are working hard to drive forward GambleAware’s new programme of work which demonstrates leadership in establishing, developing, and maintaining a co-ordinated network of services, including the expansion of the National Gambling Treatment Service,” Osmond added.