Former Gambling Commission (GC) CEO Andrew Rhodes has been unveiled as principal consultant at strategic advisory firm Hawkbridge.
Hawkbridge was established earlier this year by the partners at UK gambling law firm Harris Hagan to provide “sharp, pragmatic counsel” to the industry.
Alongside Bahar Alaeddini, John Hagan and David Whyte, Rhodes will advise Hawkbridge clients on regulatory, governance and operational standards.
As per the Hawkbridge website, former Push Gaming COO and Genting Casinos UK stalwart Andy Bentley has also joined the team as a consultant.
Hagan was a founding partner at Harris Hagan, while Alaeddini and Whyte were made partners in 2016 and 2024, respectively.
Rhodes’ move to Hawkbridge comes after Sky News reported earlier this year he was in line to join the new venture upon departing the GC.
Rhodes, the former COO at Swansea University, announced in February that he would be departing Britain’s gambling regulator at the end of April.
Deputy CEO Sarah Gardner has stepped up to acting CEO, as the authority seeks a permanent successor to Rhodes.
The GC also remains on the hunt for a permanent chair, with Charles Counsell still occupying the post in an interim capacity.
Rhodes originally joined the GC in June 2021 on an 18-month contract, when he replaced former chief Neil McArthur. He was made permanent CEO in May 2022.
Under his watch, the white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review was published in 2023 and Allwyn was awarded the fourth National Lottery licence.
The Gambling Survey for Great Britain was also rolled out during Rhodes’ tenure.
Further research into the black market has been commissioned, while there has been intense debate around the contents of the white paper, with affordability checks dominating industry conversations in recent months.
In February, a GC statement noted that Rhodes had “overseen a transformation of the Commission and how it regulates the gambling industry”.
Speaking on his appointment at Hawkbridge, Rhodes said: “The next five years will be more consequential for gambling regulation than we have seen in many years, and even more so than I saw as chief executive of the Gambling Commission in the previous five years.
“This brings uncharted challenges for boards, investors and leaders. I have decided to join the founders of Hawkbridge for a simple reason: there has rarely been a single source of regulatory, commercial and operational advice at such a senior and experience level available to the sector.
“The best counsel draws on every vantage point, operator, adviser and regulator alike, which is why I am so pleased to bring my own experience to Hawkbridge.”
Alaeddini added: “Hawkbridge was established to give operators, suppliers, investors and boards sharp, pragmatic counsel on the questions that sit above legal advice and beyond commercial diligence. Andrew’s appointment strengthens that offering.”
Last month, the GC delayed its decision on whether to formally implement affordability checks, described as financial risk assessments by the regulator.
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The post Former Gambling Commission CEO heads to Hawkbridge first appeared on EGR Intel.
Andrew Rhodes joins the team from Harris Hagan at new advisory firm, while former Push Gaming COO Andy Bentley also listed as a consultant
The post Former Gambling Commission CEO heads to Hawkbridge first appeared on EGR Intel.