GambleAware has appointed Professor Sian Griffiths (CBE) as the new Chair of Trustees for its gambling harms prevention programmes in the UK.
Griffiths takes over from Baroness Kate Lampard (CBE), who is leading a government inquiry into the death of mental health inpatients in Essex.
Griffiths has been Deputy Chair of Trustees at GambleAware and Chair of the charity’s Performance and Delivery Committee since 2018.
As one of the UK’s leading physicians, Griffiths was President of the UK Faculty of Public Health (2001-2005). With a distinguished career in public health policy and network management, Griffiths has served as a Director of Public Health England and Chair of the Public Health England Global Health Committee.
“I am delighted to accept this appointment and continue ensuring gambling harms are seen as a serious public health issue,” Griffiths said.
“Due to the stigma surrounding gambling harm, it can be hard for people to seek help. We need a public health approach that recognises wider societal influences and focuses on early intervention and prevention. GambleAware’s independence from the industry is crucial and evident in all its work.”
Baroness Lampard became Chair of GambleAware in 2016 and led its transition to an independent Board with leaders from the NHS and public health sectors.
She advocated for a statutory levy on the gambling industry for research, education, and treatment, a change committed to by the UK government in the 2023 Gambling White Paper.
Further initiatives saw Lampard oversee the expansion of gambling harms network of stakeholders in Great Britain, collaborating with the government, NHS, and third sector to recommission the National Gambling Support Network.
Ending her 8-year tenure, Lampard said: “I am pleased to be succeeded by Sian and to leave the charity in safe hands. Gambling harm affects everyone. Working with individuals from the lived experience community has shown me the profound impact of gambling harm.”
“Statutory funding is essential to address this issue. I am proud of our achievements and have enjoyed seeing the charity and gambling harms system grow over the past eight years. I wish GambleAware and Sian all the best for the future.”
