### Charles Counsell OBE Takes on Interim Chair Role at UK Gambling Commission
Charles Counsell has been named as the Interim Chairperson of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for a timeframe of nine months.
Appointed by the Secretary of State, Counsell will begin his role on February 1, 2025. He has held the position of Senior Independent Director at the UKGC since April of the current year.
#### Professional Background
Counsell served as the CEO of The Pensions Regulator from April 2019 to March 2023. Before that, he held the position of Executive Director of Automatic Enrolment at the same organization and was the CEO of the Money Advice Service.
While leading The Pensions Regulator, Counsell developed a corporate strategy focused on prioritizing the interests of pension savers. Additionally, he spearheaded the creation of the first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion plan and Climate Strategy, promoting significant changes within the pensions industry.
#### Announcement and Remuneration
According to the government’s formal announcement, Counsell will receive an annual salary of £55,000. His appointment was conducted in alignment with the Cabinet Office’s [Governance Code on Public Appointments](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65c4f9a19c5b7f0012951b7a/governance_code_on_public_appointments.pdf).
The Governance Code requires that before officially assuming his duties, Counsell must disclose any relevant political activities he engaged in over the past five years, such as public speeches, donations, or election participation. To date, the government reports that Counsell has not declared any significant political activities.