### EGR: What attracted you to lead the Industry Forum?
**Nick Rust (NR):** I had always been intrigued by the gambling industry and had contemplated assisting the Gambling Commission (GC) before. When this leadership opportunity arose, I was eager to gather a team capable of offering guidance and advice to the regulator.
Throughout my career, I have worked within the industry until 2015, when I transitioned from Ladbrokes to become the CEO of the British Horseracing Authority. My experience spans from entry-level roles to executive positions in the betting industry, augmented by my time managing a horse racing regulatory body. This combination has endowed me with a distinct set of skills and insights.
### EGR: What expertise do the forum members contribute?
**NR:** The forum was initiated last December. After conducting interviews, we finalized the selection of participants by February and commenced operations in March. We received approximately 45 applications from various industry segments. Unlike the representation structure of trade organizations, we aimed for a blend of experience and skills perceived as credible by all parts of the industry. Our members include representatives from both land-based and online betting and gaming operators, along with suppliers. Although society lotteries aren’t represented, it was impractical to include everyone.
Our team possesses the ability to look ahead, paired with extensive hands-on operational knowledge. Thus, we are equipped to offer strategic insights and advise the GC on policy-related operational issues.
### EGR: How do you intend for the group to support the sector?
**NR:** As an advisory entity, all members embrace the Nolan Principles, which govern public service conduct. We have signed non-disclosure agreements to function internally alongside other advisory teams for the GC.
A key aspect of my leadership approach is ensuring that we do not operate as a representative group. Our role isn’t to lobby but to provide counsel. My objective is to establish enough trust with the GC’s leadership, so they seek our opinions early in policy development, confident in our integrity.
We exist not to pursue political agendas but to ensure effective regulation that benefits licensed operators and consumers. We aim for the Commission to recognize our contributions and trust our advice for shaping policy reliably.
### EGR: Have there been any policy shifts inspired by the forum’s input?
**NR:** Much of our focus is on future objectives. Still, I am confident we have influenced several initiatives that will eventually impact the industry. We’ve also worked to bring heightened GC attention to the challenge of unlicensed gambling.
### EGR: What other subjects have been discussed to date?
**NR:** Discussion topics include the Great Britain Gambling Survey and strategies for addressing the follow-up actions identified in Professor Patrick Sturgis’ report from the London School of Economics. We’ve also covered issues related to the GC’s communication style and methods, customer interactions concerning anti-money laundering measures, and the protection of customers, alongside financial scrutiny matters.
Our mission is to build a trustful relationship with the GC, allowing industry insights to influence regulation creation free from formal advocacy group pressures. Delivering feedback, such as the response to the Gambling Survey of Great Britain, is part of our function, ensuring that any misuse of data is promptly addressed.
For further reading, visit the [Q&A: Nick Rust on finding a credible mix of industry voices for the Industry Forum](https://www.egr.global/intel/insight/qa-nick-rust-on-finding-a-credible-mix-of-industry-voices-for-the-industry-forum/) article on [EGR Intel](https://www.egr.global/intel).