GamCare chief to step down
Andy McLellan has worked with the charity for the last five years, and has been CEO since 2009.
Andy McLellan, chief executive officer of gaming charity GamCare, is to stand down from his role at the end of this month.
He has been with the group for five years, the first of which was in a consultancy role, and was named CEO in 2009.
He said in a statement: “I had never intended to become CEO but when I was offered the job it was hard to refuse. But it’s now time for me to apply what I’ve learnt as a charity CEO and in my previous career as a senior leader in Whitehall on a wider stage and in other ways.”
McLellan’s departure comes one month after the organisation – which aims to educate on matters such as problem gambling – appointed Microgaming Network Management Board chairman Dominic Harrison to its board of trustees.
Chairman Anthony Jennens said: “I am really pleased I was able to persuade Andy to become CEO back in 2009. His leadership, knowledge and expertise have been the major reason for our current success. He will be a hard act to follow, and I wish him well for the future”
Among the progress made during McLellan’s tenure is what he has described as “[Laying] the foundations for a coherent and effective programme of education for young people, teachers and parents,” and the organisation has today made further progress on this front with the launch of its BigDeal website, particularly targeted at young people.
The site has the backing of British actor Ashley Taylor-Dawson, who stars in soap Hollyoaks as gambling addict Darren, and Taylor-Dawson said: “I know there are a lot more Darrens out there and I want to help promote the message that for those who wish to gamble there are things you should do to keep it safe and this website shows how to keep it that way and where to get help if things go wrong.”
Jennens said of the BigDeal launch: “Young people are potentially a very vulnerable group as far as gambling is concerned. We know that 2% of 12-15 year olds are problem gamblers “ double the adult prevalence rate “ and that parents seldom talk to their children about gambling. BigDeal is an important step in plugging this information gap.’