New GambleAware CEO to ensure “smooth transfer and transition” as charity winds down
Anna Hargrave will replace Zoë Osmond as the charity prepares to cease operations.
UK.- The industry-backed gambling harms charity GambleAware has appointed a new chief executive office just as it prepares to close down. Anna Hargrave is to step up as Transition CEO, with current CEO Zoë Osmond to depart next month.
GambleAware will cease its operations by March 2026 due to the introduction of a new mandatory gambling levy in Great Britain in April of this year. The work on gambling research, prevention, education and treatment historically commissioned and delivered by GambleAware since 2002 transitions to the UK government and the new commissioners across England, Scotland and Wales following the replacement of voluntary industry donations with the statutory system.
The organisation said that the new Transition CEO position reflects the shift within the charity from strategic oversight to operational delivery as the transition process to the new system reaches its conclusion by the end of March 2026. In her new role, Hargrave will oversee the day-to-day operations and lead on the managed closure of the organisation.
Commenting on the change, GambleAware chair of trustees, Andy Boucher, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank Zoë for her demonstrable and steadfast leadership. Myself and the Board are immensely grateful for everything Zoe has done during her tenure. I also want to welcome and congratulate Anna on her new role.
“Over the next several months we have some important delivery and legacy ambitions and I am very confident that under Anna’s leadership we will achieve the positive ending for the charity we are all working towards. With a renewed focus on handover activity until the end of March 2026 we will continue to ensure there is a smooth transition to the new statutory system to address gambling harm across Great Britain.”
Osmond has been with GambleAware for seven years and has been CEO since 2021. The charity highlighted her work to help “drive forward the introduction to the statutory levy through her continued advocacy and leadership to firmly position gambling harms as a serious public health issue, which can affect all areas of society”.
Osmond has overseen the delivery of national public health campaigns, development of the GambleAware website and commissioning of critical research programmes, including the Treatment and Support Survey. She also called for new regulation on gambling advertising and marketing, including urging a ban on gambling advertising and marketing at sports events, the introduction of health warnings on gambling ads and a watershed ban on gambling advertising, GambleAware said. She has also called for the National Lottery to be positioned alongside other forms of gambling.
Osmond said: “It has been a huge privilege to lead and work at GambleAware over the past seven years. The sector has undergone significant transformation during this time, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved—particularly our commitment to embedding the voices of the lived experience community at the heart of everything we do.
“Few charities can truly say they’ve delivered on their founding mission, but GambleAware and the exceptional team behind it have played a pivotal role in reframing gambling harms as a public health issue and helped to shape the foundations of the new gambling harms prevention and treatment system. I’m delighted that Anna will be taking the reins for the next critical period, leading the charity through the completion of its transition to the new system. Her commissioning expertise and insight as Deputy CEO means she is well placed to complete our vital work.”
Hargrave has been a core member of the GambleAware Executive Leadership Team in her role of deputy CEO and chief strategy and commissioning officer since 2021. While in this role she has led the re-commissioning of the National Gambling Support Network. She has also led GambleAware’s internal delivery, evidence and insight functions and system commissioning activity. Prior to joining GambleAware, Anna held senior roles in the NHS.
She said: “The final six months are critical for the smooth transfer and transition to the new system and I am delighted to be taking on this role. I look forward to continuing to work with the new commissioners as they get to grips with their new responsibilities within the statutory system and will work with them to ensure their efforts build upon the current system’s achievements and insights to ensure learnings are carried forward.”
Osmond will step down on September 30, and Anna Hargrave will take on the role of transition CEO with immediate effect after that date.
New gambling levy payments
Meanwhile, the Gambling Commission has announced that the first invoices for the new statutory gambling levy on licensed operators will be available online through eServices from September 1. Full payment for this financial year (April 2025 to April 2026) will be required by October 1.
For the first year of the statutory levy each licensee will receive one combined invoice for all British gambling activity, and a second invoice for non-British activity if appropriate.
