Ruth Evans appointed as Chair of the Gambling Commission

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has appointed Ruth Evans as Chair of the Gambling Commission for a term of 5 years starting on 30 September 2026

Ruth Evans is a prominent UK regulatory figure and consumer champion, best known today for her role as the Chair of Stop Scams UK. With a career spanning over four decades, she has held high-profile leadership positions across charities, public regulatory bodies, and financial oversight boards, consistently focusing on public protection, consumer rights, and institutional accountability.

Ruth has served as the Chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), where she safeguarded public funds by regulating MPs’ pay and expenses. Additionally, she was the first Chair of the Bar Standards Board, spent nine years as a Lay Member of the General Medical Council chairing its Standards and Ethics Committee, and served as a Non-Executive Director for the Serious Fraud Office.

Today, Ruth is best known for her pioneering work in combatting financial crime and protecting fraud victims. In 2018, she chaired the steering group that delivered a landmark voluntary industry code to reimburse victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) bank transfer scams. She currently serves as the Chair of Stop Scams UK, leading an unprecedented collaboration between major banks, tech companies, and telecoms firms. Ruth has also recently been appointed as Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board.

DCMS Secretary of State Lisa Nandy said:

“I am pleased to announce Ruth Evans as the incoming chair of the Gambling Commission. She becomes Chair at this incredibly important time, supporting a sustainable, thriving industry with the essential protections needed to prevent harm.’

“I would also like to thank Charles Counsell OBE for his leadership of the Gambling Commission since February 2025. He has been a passionate and diligent Chair, and we owe him our gratitude.”