UK Gambling Commission Appoints Kirsty Caldwell as Interim Chair of the Industry Forum

The UK Gambling Commission has named a new interim lead for one of its key engagement bodies. The appointment comes as the regulator prepares to recruit a permanent chair for the group.

Good to Know

• Industry Forum launched in September 2023
• Interim appointment follows the end of the previous chair term
• Forum focuses on operator input and regulatory dialogue

The UK Gambling Commission confirmed the appointment of Kirsty Caldwell as Interim Chair of the Industry Forum. Caldwell steps into the role as the Commission begins recruitment for a permanent chair to replace Nick Rust, whose term ended in November 2025.

Caldwell has served as a member of the Industry Forum since March 2024. Her interim appointment aims to maintain continuity while the regulator conducts its search for a substantive chair.

The Industry Forum was created in September 2023 to provide the Gambling Commission with structured feedback from licensed operators. The group offers insight into how regulatory plans affect the industry and how operators experience regulatory services.

Caldwell brings a compliance-focused background to the role. She runs Betsmart Consulting, a compliance advisory firm founded in 2019. Earlier, she worked as vice president of compliance at Addison Global, the operator behind MoPlay. Prior to that role, she spent eight years at William Hill, including time as head of compliance for online operations.

“I am delighted to be taking on this role. I remain fully committed to building a healthy, respected gambling sector, and cooperation and communication between the regulator and industry are key to achieving this. We may not get it right every time, but the important thing is we learn from our mistakes, we keep talking, and we keep moving forward,” Caldwell said.

The Industry Forum operates alongside other engagement bodies managed by the Gambling Commission. Those include the Lived Experience Advisory Panel and the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling, which focus on consumer impact and harm prevention.

Forum participants provide the regulator with insight into industry perspectives on policy development, regulatory delivery, and broader market conditions. Members also share views on how regulation affects consumers and licensed operators in practice.

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