GambleAware Appoints Transition CEO Ahead of Its Closure

GambleAware, the United Kingdom’s leading gambling harms charity, announced the appointment of Anna Hargrave as its transition chief executive officer ahead of the organization’s managed closure. The charity’s dismantling was announced a month ago and is set to be completed on March 31, 2026.

Hargrave to Replace Osmond as CEO

The UK recently began its shift to a new era where gambling harms research, education, and treatment (RET) is funded via a statutory levy. Amid other changes, the government decided to put an end to GambleAware and transfer its responsibilities to public bodies in England, Scotland, and Wales.

In its official announcement, GambleAware noted that Hargrave will be tasked with overseeing the UK’s shift toward its new gambling harms system, as well as the closure of the charity. In her position, Hargrave will oversee the day-to-day operations of GambleAware as its closure in March 2026 approaches.

Hargrave is a former NHS senior member and a long-time core member of the GambleAware executive leadership team. Having previously served as deputy CEO and chief strategy and commissioning officer, she is very familiar with the organization. Hargrave has previously led the re-commissioning of the National Gambling Support Network and has headed GambleAware’s internal delivery, evidence, and insight functions, as well as its system commissioning activity.

As such, Hargrave was deemed to be a perfect fit for this transitional role. At the same time, GambleAware’s incumbent CEO, Zoë Osmond, will step down after years of championing safer gambling, helping those harmed by the industry, and promoting improved regulation around gambling advertising and marketing.

Osmond will step down on September 30, 2025, with Hargrave to assume the transition CEO role immediately afterwards.

Hargrave to Deliver a “Positive Ending” for GambleAware

Hargrave thanked Osmond for her service and support, which have been crucial in raising awareness of the importance of tackling gambling harm. She also weighed in on her new role, saying that the final six months of GambleAware will be crucial for the smooth transition to the new RET system.

I look forward to continuing to work with the new commissioners as they get to grips with their new responsibilities within the statutory system and will work with them to ensure their efforts build upon the current system’s achievements and insights to ensure learnings are carried forward.

Anna Hargrave, transition CEO appointee, GambleAware

Osmond also commented on the leadership change, saying that it has been a privilege to work at GambleAware for the past seven years. She hailed the sector’s positive transformations over that period and said that she was very pleased with what the charity had done.

Few charities can truly say they’ve delivered on their founding mission, but GambleAware and the exceptional team behind it have played a pivotal role in reframing gambling harms as a public health issue and helped to shape the foundations of the new gambling harms prevention and treatment system.

Zoë Osmond, outgoing CEO, GambleAware

Osmond wished Hargrave all the best in her new position.

Finally, Andy Boucher, GambleAware’s chair of trustees, thanked Osmond for her service and welcomed Hargrave to the new role. He expressed confidence in her ability to achieve a “positive ending” for Britain’s largest gambling harm charity.