UK Gambling Commission names Kirsty Caldwell Interim Chair of Industry Forum

• The Gambling Commission in the UK selected Kirsty Caldwell to serve as the Interim Chair of the Industry Forum
• A search for a permanent Chair is currently ongoing
• Caldwell speaks with excitement about the latest announcement

The UK Gambling Commission, the country's gambling regulator, announced the appointment of a new Interim Chair of the Industry Forum.

The Commission picked Kirsty Caldwell, an executive with solid compliance experience and a member of the Forum, to serve as its Interim Chair.

Caldwell is delighted to assume the Interim Chair role

The Industry Forum was established in 2023, and it includes members from the gambling sector in Great Britain.

The Forum has a range of objectives, including raising awareness about the plans of the Gambling Commission, explaining the services the Commission provides to the industry and consumers and offering insights about the gambling sector.

Nick Rust served as the inaugural Chair of the Industry Forum, but his two-year term ended in November 2025.

Now, while the gambling watchdog is exploring options for a permanent Chair appointment that would succeed Rust, Caldwell will serve on an interim basis.

The gambling watchdog confirmed the Interim Chair appointment but did not reveal if it has already reviewed applications for the permanent role.

It is also unclear whether or not there is a deadline for the completion of that process.

Speaking with excitement, Caldwell pointed out: "I am delighted to be taking on this role."

Moreover, the Interim Chair of the Industry Forum added: "I remain fully committed to building a healthy, respected gambling sector, and cooperation and communication between regulator and industry is key to achieving this."

In conclusion, she pointed out: "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 forwards."

Bringing extensive experience in compliance, Caldwell also holds a major role in the consulting business called BetSmart Consulting.

In fact, she founded the business back in 2019 and has held a central role since.

The latest announcement comes on the heels of criticism by the Gambling Commission against Meta over Instagram and Facebook illegal gambling ads.

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