BGC announces shake-up at the top

Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), an industry group in the United Kingdom, has announced changes at the top, appointing Grainne Hurst as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. Confirmed in an official press release, BGC commented on the new appointment and said that Hurst is currently serving as Group Corporate Affairs Director at industry behemoth Entain.

She is replacing Michael Dugher, who will now become Chair, replacing Brigid Simmonds OBE. Hurst is an important pick for BGC, as the organization is increasingly looking for hands-on industry input to help navigate the changing regulatory landscape and promote a balance between changes in the law and business sustainability.

The new CEO has an extensive track record of working in both the brick-and-mortar and online gambling sectors, and she has served as part of both GVC and the rebranded company, Entain, across numerous markets.

Her appointment was welcomed by the outgoing incumbent, Michael Dugher, who said that Hurst’s appointment is an excellent opportunity for the BGC to continue delivering on its core mission.

Dugher hailed Hurst’s extensive experience across all major verticals in gambling and said that under her stewardship, the organization would be taken "to the next level."

"She is someone who is rightly widely respected across the industry and, as I step back to become Chair of the BGC, I am confident she will work well with our talented staff to make a decisive impact as our new CEO," Dugher added.

Hurst herself was similarly pleased with this opportunity and said that she assumed the position with a lot of hope for the betterment of the industry, focusing on its growth with a particular emphasis on customer protection and customer interests.

"The betting industry in the UK has world leading businesses and iconic brands and I will work hard to ensure they remain so. There is much to be done and I look forward to getting started," she effused.

Her appointment was also welcomed by Flutter UKI Executive Chairman Ian Proctor who said that the BGC role was more important than ever, especially in the way the industry has changed under the proposed and enacted changes put forward by the government and the UK Gambling Commission.

"Grainne's appointment as Chief Executive is a vital step in ensuring we engage constructively at every level while championing those who work in the industry and offering the best service possible to our customers," he noted. The BGC and the government have not always seen eye-to-eye, but there has been an ongoing dialogue helping navigate the often big changes coming to the sector.

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